Chocolate Neon Tetra

About

Found in the upper Tapajós River basin of Brazil, this small characid, known in the trade as the chocolate neon tetra, belongs to a genus with a famously tangled taxonomic history. Hyphessobrycon vilmae carries a continuous, solid dark lateral stripe along its body without the distinct humeral blotch that defines its closest relatives, placing it somewhat outside the tightest modern definitions of the heterorhabdus species group. It stays under an inch and a quarter as an adult, making it one of the smaller members of an already small genus. In the aquarium it is a genuinely peaceful fish and a forgiving choice for newer keepers who want something a bit less common than the usual tetra offerings. Like most small characins it does best in a proper school, aim for eight to ten individuals, ideally a mixed-sex group, and it settles in well alongside other similarly sized South American schooling fish, smaller catfishes, and non-aggressive cichlids. A well-planted tank with some open swimming room suits it nicely. Reproduction follows the typical egg-scattering pattern of the group, with no parental care from either adult, so raising fry requires separating eggs before the adults find them.