Family: Characidae
Distribution: Hemigrammus melanochrous hails from the middle of the Madeira River basin in Brazil, South America.
PH: 6.0 – 7.5 pH
Temperature: 22 – 28°C (72 – 82°F)
Hardness: 2-15 gdH
Description: Hemigrammus melanochrous will reach a length of 3cm in captivity. The Hemigrammus species is generally peaceful, sociable and perfect for community tanks. They should be kept in shoals of at least 6 in order to keep them at their healthiest mentally.
Due to their rarity within the hobby, there is little data available regarding Hemigrammus melanochrous specifically; therefore, information such social habits, sexual dimorphia, and appearance is unavailable.
Diet: The Hemigrammus species usually thrive on an omnivorous diet consisting of flakes and live foods. Aquarists are advised to ensure the food is in small pieces so that Hemigrammus melanochrous may fit it into their mouths.
Breeding: As there is limited information available regarding Hemigrammus melanochrous, the general method accepted for the Hemigrammus species has been included.
Breeders should separate a male and female Hemigrammus melanochrous from both the shoal and from one another. These two fish should be around one year old. Condition them on insect larvae. A breeding tank consisting of peat-filtered water, dense plantation, natural lighting (only) and a slightly higher temperature should be set up. Introduce the duo into the breeding tank. If spawning does not occur within three days, repeat the process. If it fails a second time, try switching one of the partners.
The parents should be removed once they’ve spawned because they are carnivorous and will eat the eggs. The newly-hatched fry should be fed on very small food particles such as Infusoria, micro-organisms, baby brine shrimp and flake foods.
Breeding results will generally be quite high, if their natural pattern is anything to go by: in the wild, they can double their original population in a little over a year.
Comments: A shoal of Hemigrammus melanochrous can be kept by themselves in a 40L tank. However, if you’re aiming for a community tank, you will need at least double the size. Dense plantation along the sides and back is required, as well as a large open space in the centre for swimming space. If wanting to show off the colouration to its finest, use a dark substrate. Top floating plants should also be included in order to diffuse the light.
The Hemigrammus species is a fairly hardy one, and thus is suitable for an aquarist of any experience level.
As Hemigrammus melanochrous is fairly undocumented within the hobby, general information pertaining to the Hemigrammus species has been included.
Article/Books:
Recommended Compatible Species: They should live happily with other Tetra species (particularly the Neon Tetra and Black Tetra). They also should be good tank mates with Discus, Apistogramma‘s like Apistogramma Cacatouides and Apistogramma Borelli, CorydorasCatfish (particularly Corydoras Sterbai and Corydoras aeneus) Angelfish, Clown loach, the common Guppy and Platy and most Gourami(such as the Blue Gouramiand Dwarf Gourami like the Honey Gourami) Also should live happily with most Danio (particularly the Zebra Danioand Pearl Danio) and also many Killifish could make great tank mates.
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