Colombian Red Fin
Hyphessobrycon columbianus
A bold Colombian tetra with vivid red fins and a peaceful, social nature.
About
Found in the small creeks of the Acandi River basin in northwestern Colombia, this medium-sized tetra goes by several trade names including Colombian red fin, blue-red, and blue flame tetra. It was misidentified as Hyphessobrycon ecuadorensis for years before receiving its formal description, which partly explains why Hyphessobrycon columbianus, despite having no widely standardized common name, remains a bit of a moving target on vendor lists. The fish itself is hard to miss: a silver body with an iridescent blue sheen across the upper flanks, paired with vivid blood-red caudal and anal fins. Males and females share this coloration with no dramatic difference between the sexes, which sets it apart from several close relatives. It is a schooling fish at heart, and keeping a mixed-sex group of eight or more individuals really brings out natural behavior and reduces any tendency toward fin-nipping. In a well-stocked community tank it gets along well with similarly sized characins, smaller catfishes, and non-aggressive cichlids. Breeding follows typical egg-scattering characid lines, with no parental care, and a single conditioned female can produce large numbers of eggs in one session. This is a rewarding species for keepers ready to move beyond the basics.
Similar species
Other fish you might consider
Good tank mates
Species that tend to coexist peacefully with Colombian Red Fin
From the same region
Share the same natural habitat. Great for a biotope-themed tank
Frequently asked questions
- How big does the Colombian Red Fin get?
- The Colombian Red Fin reaches about 1.5–3" as an adult.
- What size tank does the Colombian Red Fin need?
- A minimum of 21 gallons is recommended for the Colombian Red Fin, with more room needed for a proper group.
- What water parameters does the Colombian Red Fin need?
- The Colombian Red Fin does best with a temperature of 68–82°F, a pH of 5–7.5, hardness around 1–12 dGH.
- Is the Colombian Red Fin aggressive?
- The Colombian Red Fin is generally peaceful and suits a community tank with similarly calm tankmates.
- What does the Colombian Red Fin eat?
- The Colombian Red Fin is an omnivore. It does well on a varied diet of quality flake or pellet plus occasional frozen or live foods.
- How long does the Colombian Red Fin live?
- With good care, the Colombian Red Fin typically lives 5-12 years.