Taxonomy of Finfish (1+2)

4.2.7 Hyphessobrycon erythrostigma

Family: Characidae

Genus: Hyphessobrycon

English name: Bleeding Heart Tetra

Origin: Colombia

Size: Maximum 8 cm

Habitat: No further details are available of its natural habitat.

Shape, coloring and markings:

The body is rather deep and laterally very compressed. The basic coloration is a light yellow: the back is olive - green to brown, with pale red overtones. The lower part of the body is red with a silvery gleam: the throat and belly have a more orangey or yellowish tint. Above the ventral fin, level with the eye, there is a very prominent red spot, bordered by an iridescent area of white. The dorsal fin is well developed, with a black patch behind a white ray. The base of the anal fin is white, becoming dark grey or black towards the front, and more reddish towards the tail. The other fins are colorless and transparent.

Females are smaller with less vivid colors.

Males are as described above and have a crescent-shaped elongation of the dorsal and anal fins.