Paraiba do Sul basin

The flame tetra, Hyphessobrycon flammeus, is a small characid from Rio de Janeiro and São Paulo states in Brazil. Popular in the hobby, it is bred commercially in several countries and also sold as 'red', 'fire', 'rio' and 'Von Rio' tetra. In nature it is now uncommon or even extinct across much of its range, and the São Paulo populations may have been introduced by aquarists or breeders.

The black neon tetra, Hyphessobrycon herbertaxelrodi, is a characid from the upper rio Paraguai in Mato Grosso and Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil. A ubiquitous aquarium fish since its discovery, it is produced commercially in several countries, so wild fish are no longer collected. It is widespread north and south of the Pantanal, favouring minor tributaries, headwater rivers, oxbows and seasonal floodplains.

Leporinus copelandii is an anostomid from the Paraíba do Sul and Doce river systems of southeastern Brazil. It reaches at least 200 mm, and an aquarium with base dimensions of 180 by 60 cm should be the smallest considered.

The yellow tetra, Hyphessobrycon bifasciatus, is a characid from coastal rivers of southeastern Brazil between Espírito Santo and Rio Grande do Sul. It also occurs in parts of the upper Paraná basin, in floodplain tributaries, lakes and streams, usually under forest cover. Two vertically elongate humeral spots, the front one more prominent, help separate it from similar congeners. Generally peaceful, it is best kept as a group of 8-10 or more.