Bleeding heart tetra (Hyphessobrycon erythrostigma) care guide

Group
Freshwater fish
Other names
Bleeding-heart tetra, Hemigrammus erythrostigma, Hyphessobrycon rubrostigma, Megalamphodus erythrostigma
Family
Acestrorhamphidae (American tetras; formerly Characidae)
Origin
Upper Amazon basin around the 'Tres Fronteras' where Brazil, Peru and Colombia meet, from the Rio Purus in Brazil upstream to the Nanay near Iquitos, Peru.
Water
freshwater
Maximum size
6 cm
Temperature
22–28°C
pH
5–7.5
Hardness
Soft to medium, 1–12 dGH
Minimum tank
81 litres
Care level
intermediate
Temperament
peaceful

Care

A larger, deep-bodied tetra with a striking red 'heart' spot. Keep a mixed group of at least 8–10; males show their best colours and long fins while sparring for rank, and the group behaves far more naturally than a handful would. A tank with a base of at least 90 × 30 cm (about 81 litres) is the smallest to consider. They look best and feel safest in a well-planted tank with a dark substrate, soft sand, wood roots and branches for shade, floating plants and fairly dim lighting. Dried leaf litter adds to the effect and releases tannins like their native waters. They need warm, soft, acidic to neutral water: around 22–28 °C, pH 5–7.5 and up to about 12 dGH. Unlike some tougher tetras they are sensitive to a build-up of waste, so the water must be spotless: make weekly water changes routine and never add them to a newly set-up, biologically immature tank. Some fish develop metallic gold scales on the body; this appears to cause no discomfort and doesn't seem to shorten their lives. Almost all bleeding heart tetras in the trade are captive-bred rather than wild-caught. Sources: Seriously Fish (seriouslyfish.com/species/hyphessobrycon-erythrostigma/); FishBase (fishbase.se/summary/Hyphessobrycon-erythrostigma.html); Wikipedia (en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bleedinghearttetra). Checked October 2026.

Diet

An opportunistic omnivore; wild fish have been found to eat a lot of fruit along with aquatic insects and larvae. Offer good flake and granules alongside small live and frozen foods such as bloodworm (chironomid larvae), Daphnia and Artemia.

Breeding

An egg scatterer that shows no parental care. Males are larger and more colourful, with much extended dorsal, pelvic and anal fins; females are rounder, especially when full of eggs. Our sources give few specific breeding details, but an approach that suits other egg-scattering tetras is sensible: a dimly lit spawning tank with soft, acidic, mature water, fine-leaved plants or mesh over the base so eggs fall out of reach, and removal of the adults once eggs are laid. Leaf litter in the tank supports microbes that make a useful first food for fry.

Compatibility and tank mates

Generally peaceful and a good community fish, though adult males can be a little territorial, sometimes towards similar-shaped species. Good companions are similarly sized tetras, hatchetfish, pencilfish, smaller catfish such as Corydoras, and peaceful medium-sized cichlids. Avoid fish big enough to eat them.

Last updated 4 October 2026. Community-edited care guide on Aquatic-Auctions.

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