Edit Megalamphodus erythrostigma

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Name

Scientific name

Megalamphodus erythrostigma

Described by

Authority Fowler, Year 1943, Bracketed

Family

Characidae

Common names

Bleeding Heart Tetra

Photograph credits

All 8 credited

Summary

The bleeding heart tetra, Megalamphodus erythrostigma, is a characid from the upper Amazon basin where the borders of Brazil, Peru and Colo…

Size and aquarium

Maximum size

60mm, standard length

Aquarium size

Minimum length 90 cm, Minimum depth 30 cm

Water

Water conditions

Temperature 21–28°C, pH 4–7.5

Hardness

1–12dGH

Conductivity

Not recorded

Behaviour

Temperament

Peaceful

Community suitability

Community-safe

Where it lives

Countries, regions, rivers and lakes

Brazil, Colombia, Peru, Amazon, Corrientillo, Galvez, Japurá, Jurua, Jutaí, Marañón, Nanay, Napo, Purus, Solimões, Tefé, Yavarí

Writing

Etymology

Megalamphodus: from the Ancient Greek μεγαλάμφοδος (megalamphodos), meaning 'with spacious ways'. Eigenmann did not explain the name, but it probably refers to…

Distribution

Type locality is given as 'probably border area between Peru and Brazil', and this species is native to the upper Amazon basin in the 'Tres Fronteras' region w…

Habitat

Mostly inhabits sluggish tributaries, side arms and forest lakes, and often associated with submerged woody structures such as roots, fallen branches, overhang…

Mostly inhabits sluggish tributaries, side arms and forest lakes, and often associated with submerged woody structures such as roots, fallen branches, overhanging riparian vegetation or aquatic plants.

The water normally has a negligible dissolved mineral content, is poorly buffered and stained brown due to the gradual release of tannins and organic acids from decaying plant material.

In the igarapés Baré and Ubim, western Brazil, H. erythrostigma was collected from stretches measuring 5-7 metres in width with thick riparian and overhanging vegetation.

The substrate was mostly composed of sand and the fish displayed a preference for boundary zones between shallow and deeper water. Conductivity was measured at 14.2-62.1 mS/cm³, dissolved oxygen 0.12 to 0.40 mg/l and pH 3.8-6.4.

In Lake Ayapuá, rio Purus, Brazil, the fish were found in a white (turbid) water habitat where water temperature was 29.6ºC/85.3°F, conductivity 20 mS/cm³, dissolved oxygen 38.5%, pH 5.0-5.5 and depth approximately 1.5 metres.

Sympatric fish species included Hyphessobrycon bentosi, Hemigrammus bellottii, Paracheirodon sp. 'n', Nannostomus eques, N. unifasciatus, N. trifasciatus, Carnegiella strigata, Carnegiella marthae, Bunocephalus sp. and Otocinclus sp.

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My own experienceFor example, I've kept twelve in a planted 60 cm tank since March 2024.A website I sawFor example, an IUCN Red List assessment, a museum catalogue or a FishBase page.A paperFor example, Marshall et al. (2011), Water temperature differences in interfluvial palm swamp habitats of Paracheirodon axelrodi and P. simulans.A book, or something not onlineFor example, Tappin (2010), Rainbowfishes: their care and keeping in captivity.Something already on the pageFor example, the Behaviour and compatibility section already says this.

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DOI

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Year

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Aquarium size

An aquarium with base dimensions of 90 ∗ 30 cm or equivalent should be the smallest considered.

Maintenance

Choice of décor is not especially critical although it tends to show better colouration when maintained in a well-furnished set-up with live plants and a dark …

Water conditions

Not written yet

Diet

This species is an opportunistic omnivore by nature. The stomach contents of wild specimens from Lake Ayapuá were composed of fruit remains, aquatic insects an…

Behaviour and compatibility

Generally peaceful making it an ideal resident of the well-researched community aquarium, although adult males are territorial to an extent, and this behaviour…

Sexual dimorphism

Males grow noticeably larger and are more intensely-coloured than females. In adult males the dorsal, pelvic and anal fins are highly extended, while adult fem…

Reproduction

Egg scatterer exhibiting no parental care.

Notes

This is the best-known of three similar-looking species most commonly-referred to as the 'bleeding heart' subgroup, the other two being H. socolofi and H. pyrr…

References

11 on this profile

Name

Scientific name

Described by

Family

Common names

Photograph credits

Summary

Size and aquarium

Maximum size

Aquarium size

Water

Water conditions

Hardness

Conductivity

Behaviour

Temperament

Social needs

Community suitability

Where it lives

Countries, regions, rivers and lakes

Writing

Etymology

Distribution

Habitat

Aquarium size

Maintenance

Water conditions

Diet

Behaviour and compatibility

Sexual dimorphism

Reproduction

Notes

References

References