The tetra Hyphessobrycon cyanotaenia was originally imported as “Lapis-Tetra” from Brazil; that was more than 20 years ago (see https://www.aquariumglaser.de/en/?s=cyanotaenia). Since the breeding was successful this beautiful and easy to keep fish is now a common sight in the trade. The origin was mysterious for a long time, because the scientific description was based on offspring, but today it is known that H. cyanotaenia is native to the upper parts of the Rio Juruena (basin of the Rio Tapajós) and the Rio Guaporé (basin of the Rio Madeira) in the state of Mato Grosso in Brazil.
The species characteristic of Hyphessobrycon cyanotaenia is the massive black longitudinal band extending from the posterior margin of the eye to the posterior margin of the caudal fin. This band is accompanied above by a bright blue band across the back.
As wild catch H. cyanotaenia is only rarely on the market, because it belongs to the fixed assortment of many breeders. We have now once again received wild-caught specimens, which differ quite clearly from the offspring we are familiar with due to their very bright yellow colored back. In the few golden animals, which are also included in the import, the back shines particularly intensively.
For our customers: the wild caught specimens have code 259843 on our stocklist. Please note that we supply exclusively to wholesalers.
Text & photos: Frank Schäfer
