Hummingbird Tetra

Adults grow up to 17 mm, making them one of the smallest aquarium fish – their length does not even reach 2 cm. Sexual dimorphism is weakly expressed; males and females look very similar, with no noticeable external differences. The main body color is gray with a slight bluish tint. The fins are almost transparent, but the tip of the caudal fin is red, and the pelvic fins have a yellowish hue.

Its natural habitat is in South America, in the upper tributaries of the Amazon River, in the Loreto region of Peru. These fish prefer to settle in small forest streams, channels, and minor river courses. In their natural environment, the bottom is often covered with sand, strewn with numerous snags and fallen leaves. The decomposition of organic matter releases tannins, giving the water a characteristic brownish tint.

This is a peaceful schooling fish that needs to be kept in a group of 8–10 individuals. Great care should be taken when choosing tankmates, as the fish is so small that even moderately large fish can frighten it. In nature, they can hide from danger, but this is impossible in the confined space of an aquarium. In small aquariums, the Hummingbird Tetra is only compatible with fish of a similar size.

For a school of 8–10 Hummingbird Tetras, an aquarium of 40 L or more is suitable. The aquarium decor can be anything, but using natural elements is considered most favorable. A sandy substrate, driftwood, and live plants will create conditions as close to natural as possible. Lighting should be subdued, so shade-loving plant species, mosses, and ferns are preferable. It is recommended to add dried leaves from certain trees to the aquarium: their decomposition will mimic natural processes, releasing tannins. This will not only give the water a characteristic chemical composition but also color it brown. In addition, decomposing leaves will serve as a valuable source of secondary food for fry – paramecium. Hummingbird Tetras need soft water with an acidic pH. It may be necessary to use filters with chemical filtration to acidify the water, as well as a reverse osmosis system to reduce general hardness. It is important to maintain stable water parameters, as the fish is sensitive to their fluctuations and the accumulation of organic waste.

Hummingbird Tetras successfully eat all common types of aquarium food. However, it should be noted that the offered food must be crushed into tiny particles, otherwise, the fish will not be able to swallow it. The daily diet can include dry, freeze-dried, live, or frozen foods.

Under favorable conditions, such as a suitable habitat and quality nutrition, the fish often enter a spawning state, which makes their breeding not too difficult. However, the main difficulties arise when raising fry, which are extremely small and require microscopic food, such as paramecium.

Specific diseases that affect only this particular fish species have not been identified. When kept in suitable conditions, including high water quality, a balanced diet, and peaceful tank mates, health issues usually do not arise. The most common cause of illness is a deterioration of living conditions, which weakens the immune system and makes the fish susceptible to infections that are always present in their environment. Upon noticing initial signs of sickness (such as lethargy, emaciation, refusal to eat, or clamped fins), it is crucial to immediately check the basic water parameters. Often, restoring acceptable living conditions will lead to self-recovery, but if the fish is too weak or has suffered visible damage, medicinal treatment may be required. For more details on symptoms and treatment methods, consult the section “Diseases of Aquarium Fish.”

When purchasing Hummingbird Tetras, it is important to ensure there are no external injuries or signs of emaciation, as the fish are extremely sensitive to stress and water quality. Healthy individuals should be active, exhibit schooling behavior, and have clean, transparent fins without any film or spots. Due to their miniature size (up to 2 cm), it is crucial to assess the condition of the fins, especially in males, where they are elongated.

It is recommended to acquire a group of 8–10 individuals simultaneously, as solitary keeping or purchasing too few fish leads to severe stress and rapid loss of immunity. In the store, pay attention to the keeping conditions: the water should be clean, without excessive organic matter, and the fish should not appear lethargic or hide in the corners of the aquarium. Avoid purchasing individuals if aggressive or significantly larger tankmates are present in their aquarium, as they could cause injuries.