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Does anyone know of a tetra that looks similar in shape and size to the Von Rio/Flame Tetra (Hyphessobrycon flammeus), but that does not have stripes? Also, the body color is mostly golden with bright red on the tail and all fins (especially the anal fin). I thought these guys were Von Rio Tetras when I bought them, but I'm starting to think they might be something else...

Bloodfins? [link=http://fishprofiles.com/files/profiles/bloodfin.xml]http://fishprofiles.com/files/profiles/bloodfin.xml" style="COLOR: #C000C0[/link]

Bloodfins are too elongate. Now let's see ... one possibility that arises is Hyphessobrycon ornatus, though the colour match isn't that good, and the fish is also one of the larger Hyphessobrycon species, reaching 2½ inches. There is a nice shot of one here (you'll have to scroll down a little, and the page is in French). You'll also find the same fish referred to erroneously as Hyphessobrycon bentosi.

There are probably other species that fit this bill too. Rosy Tetras are sometimes mis-named 'bentosi' as well - though their finnage is much more markedly black than that of the Flame Tetra, an immediate differentiating characteristic. If you have access to a copy of Dr Axelrod's Atlas of Freshwater Fishes, you'll probably find something like 80-plus Hyphessobrycon species to wade through in order to find your fish!




Panda Catfish fan and keeper/breeder since Christmas 2002

Does it look exactly like the flame tetra except for color and pattern? I can't get a good mental picture from your description.

I do know that there is at least one man-made color variation of this fish, I've seen it sold as the "fancy Von Rio" tetra. Could this be what you have?

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And when he gets to Heaven, to Saint Peter he will tell: "One more Marine reporting, Sir! I've served my time in Hell."