Edit Brycon cephalus
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Name
Scientific name
Brycon cephalus
Described by
Not recorded
Family
Characidae
Common names
Red-tailed Brycon
Photograph credits
All 3 credited
Summary
The red-tailed brycon, Brycon cephalus, is a large characid from the upper Amazon basin in Peru, Bolivia and Brazil, known in Brazil as the…
Size and aquarium
Maximum size
220mm, standard length
Aquarium size
Minimum length 210 cm, Minimum depth 60 cm, Minimum height 60 cm, Water movement High: fast-flowing river or riffle
Water
Water conditions
Temperature 22–26°C, pH 5.5–7.5
Hardness
1–15dGH
Conductivity
Not recorded
Behaviour
Temperament
Not recorded
Social needs
A shoal or group
Community suitability
Not recorded
Where it lives
Countries, regions, rivers and lakes
Bolivia, Peru, Amazon
Writing
Etymology
Not written yet
Distribution
Native to the Upper Amazon basin in Peru, Bolivia and Brazil.
Habitat
Tends to inhabit the flowing central parts of both white and black water rivers. It can be seen resting in loose shoals around the banks, under cover of vegeta…
Aquarium size
A very active species that needs a tank measuring at least 210 ∗ 60 ∗ 60 cm - ~756 litres.
Maintenance
As it's a pelagic, riverine species a good flow of well oxygenated water through the tank is required. The choice of decor isn't critical, but a substrate of s…
Water conditions
Temperature: 22 – 26 °C pH: 5.5-7.5 Hardness: 1-15°H
Diet
In nature it's something of an opportunist, consuming a range of small fish and aquatic invertebrates, as well as fruits, nuts and seeds. It proves similarly u…
Behaviour and compatibility
Tankmates should be chosen carefully, given its dynamic, predatory nature. Don't keep it with anything very delicate or slow moving. Possible tankmates include…
Sexual dimorphism
No definitive information is available. Sexually mature females are likely to be thicker-bodied than males, though.
Reproduction
Not thought to have been achieved in the hobby. The species has a complicated migratory spawning cycle in nature (see below).
Notes
The Brycon genus is large, at present containing over 50 species. A number of these are very similar, a couple of which (B. rubricauda and B. orbignyanus) rese…
References
References
No references