Hyphessobrycon columbianus was described by Zarske & Géry in 2001. According to Weitzman, the fish belongs to the “Rosy Tetra group” (in the broadest sense “ornamental tetra relatives”). The first specimens arrived in Germany in 1995, caught in a tributary of the Rio Acanti, Colombia. All specimens currently on the market are said to be descended from the first few imports.
Shortly after its discovery, this fish was reproduced en masse and offered in the trade (until its scientific description, mostly under the names Astyanax spec. or Hyphessobrycon ecuadoriensis), which is why the initially considerable price quickly fell to a “lower tetra level”. Hyphessobrycon columbianus is an enrichment for the aquarium hobby due to its splendid colors, peacefulness and ease of breeding, although it does fade somewhat if not kept under optimal conditions. The water should be somewhat cooler (<25 °C) and harder, the pH neutral to slightly alkaline. The animals also appear to be occasionally susceptible to (bacterial?) infections.
For our customers: the animals have code 259952 on our stocklist. Please note that we only supply the wholesale trade.
Photos: Frank Schäfer, Text: Peter & Martin Hoffmann
