Edit Trochilocharax ornatus
You can suggest changes to this profile. A moderator will review each change.
Name
Scientific name
Trochilocharax ornatus
Described by
Authority Zarske, Year 2010
Family
Characidae
Common names
Hummingbird Tetra
Photograph credits
All 2 credited
Summary
The hummingbird tetra, Trochilocharax ornatus, is a tiny characid from Amazonian Peru, reaching only 17 mm. Traded as 'crystal rainbow tetr…
Size and aquarium
Maximum size
17mm, standard length
Aquarium size
Minimum length 45 cm, Minimum depth 30 cm
Water
Water conditions
Temperature 20–28°C, pH 4–6.5
Hardness
1–8dGH
Conductivity
Not recorded
Behaviour
Temperament
Peaceful
Social needs
A shoal or group
Community suitability
Not for a community
Where it lives
Countries, regions, rivers and lakes
Peru, Amazon, Ampiyacu, Nanay, Solimões
Writing
Etymology
Trochilocharax: from the Greek trochilos, meaning 'little bird', and later used specifically to refer to a family of hummingbirds, plus the generic name Charax…
Distribution
Unclear with type locality given as 'Loreto, Peru' because the type series was taken from an aquarium import deriving from Iquitos, northwestern (Amazonian) Pe…
Habitat
Said to be an inhabitant of blackwater environments with further details unconfirmed, although it presumably inhabits minor forest streams and tributaries rath…
Aquarium size
Surface dimensions of 45 ∗ 30 cm or equivalent should be the minimum considered for long-term care although smaller aquaria can be used for breeding.
Maintenance
Best-maintained in a well-structured set-up, ideally comprising a sandy substrate plus some driftwood roots and branches. The addition of dried leaf litter fur…
Water conditions
Not written yet
Diet
Probably a micropredator feeding on tiny invertebrates and other zooplankton in nature. In the aquarium it will accept dried foods of a suitable size but shoul…
Behaviour and compatibility
Peaceful with other species but does not make an ideal community fish due to its small size and somewhat specialised requirements Ideally it should be maintain…
Sexual dimorphism
Adult males are larger, more intensely-coloured and develop extended fins compared with females, plus they possess a pouch scale on the caudal peduncle. Sexual…
Reproduction
Has been achieved and in a properly-structured, mature aquarium it's possible that small numbers of fry may start to appear without intervention. It apparently…
Notes
This species is not often available and is much sought after in the aquarium hobby where it's been traded as 'crystal rainbow tetra' and 'orange-tailed glass t…
References
References
5 on this profile