The lemon tetra or hyphessobrycon pulchripinnis is a member of the family Characidae and the genus hyphessobrycon. The lemon tetra lives in the basin of the Amazon.
Anatomy of lemon tetra
The lemon tetra has a body quite high and very compressed laterally. Their base color is translucent yellow, the dorsal fins have a band of a more pronounced yellow and are bordered with black. The anal fin is also yellow and black, with black being more important in males. These have a darker area at the end of the caudal fin.
The lemon tetra has eyes with the upper part of the iris a very deep red. As you get older, the lemon tetra often has gray spots on the body. These spots are more prevalent in males and do not affect the life of the fish.
This description is only valid after acclimation! In the shops the lemon grouse are very bland and their yellow and red colors are only visible after a few days.
Specific Needs and Nutrition
The tetra lemon is a pretty delicate fish, which I would not recommend to beginners. The acclimation is difficult, personall, I had to deplore two dead lemon grouse in the transport bag …
It is a fish that, like any Amazonian fish, needs a soft and acidic water: pH between 6 and 7 and a hardness between 4 and 10. The ideal temperature to maintain it is 26 °.
The lemon tetra must be kept in a tank of at least 100 liters. He likes a tray with hiding places and plants in large numbers, soft lighting. The lemon grouse mobilizes the middle part of the tank and if they feel good, are not shy. At home they are always in the same part of the tray: in the center, and mingle with the pristellas and red noses.
The lemon tetra must be kept in a bench: 10 individuals minimum, with other calm species. It is a fish that can be “teasing” with the members of his species: the intimidations are numerous within the group, all fins erect! It can even happen that fins are nibbled or that one of the members of the group is extremely dominated and that this leads to death …
The lemon tetra appreciates all kinds of food: flakes and small granules even if its preference goes to artemia and bloodworms. As for all fish, a varied diet makes it possible to fight against the deficiencies responsible for diseases, and also allow to reveal their beautiful colors
Reproduction of lemon tetra
When I learned about this fish, I could read that some aquarists had had reproductions in community bac, without trying anything particular.
I had the chance to discover one day a fry tetra lemon in my tray! I do not know by what miracle he managed to feed himself … The pH is 7.2, the KH is 3 and the temperature is 26 °.
He managed to escape the other fish while the eggs are usually quickly devoured by others or parents. Then, once born, he still managed to hide so as not to be a living prey. So I called him Rambo! It hides in the plants even if today it does not risk anything anymore.
As he is very clever, he found a hiding place just in the way of food, so he survived!
