Hyphessobrycon columbianus

Colombian red-blue ( Hyphessobrycon columbianus )

The red-blue Colombians ( Hyphessobrycon columbianus ) is a small permanent freshwater fish of the family of the Real tetras ( Characidae ). He lives in the north- western Colombia, near the border with Panama and the coast of the Caribbean in small, slow -flowing streams that flow into the Rio Acandi. The fish were first introduced in 1995 as a freshwater ornamental fish to Germany and initially held for members of the genus Astyanax. After a misidentification as Hyphesso ecuadoriensis they were first described scientifically in 2002.

The fish are seven inches long. Like most other species of the genus Hyphesso they have high backs. The body is colored iridescent bluish, the fins are red. Their dorsal fin is supported by two undivided and divided nine fin rays. In the anal fin there are three undivided and 23 split -fin rays. The spine has 34 vertebrae. In the males, the dorsal fin is slightly higher and the margin of the anal fin rather concave, with the females it is convex. The latter should also be somewhat fuller.

Reproduction

The red-blue Colombians spawn in pairs or in small swarm. The eggs are released into the open water. Depending on the condition of the females 100 to 400 eggs are laid. The fry hatch after three days and free swimming after five days. After a short time shows the red coloration of the fins, the blue color of the body starts at the back with a length of two centimeters.