Family: Characidae
Distribution: The Amazon River basin in Brazil, South America is the location of Hemigrammus neptunus. They prefer black-water rivers but can be found elsewhere.
PH: 6.0 – 7.5 pH
Temperature: 22 – 28°C (72 – 82°F)
Hardness: 2-15 gdH
Description: Hemigrammus neptunus will reach a length a little over 3cm in captivity. They display a semi-dull colouration, if compared to other Hemigrammus relatives. They have an olive-green back and a silver stomach. A black stripe extends from the base of the caudal fin to the back of the head. Their fins are semi-transparent with a silver shimmer, except for a large black smudge where the stripe meets the caudal fin.
The Hemigrammus species is usually peaceful and sociable. They thrive in shoals of at least 6-8 and are generally ideal additions to community tanks.
Diet: The Hemigrammus species enjoys an omnivorous diet of flakes and live foods.
Breeding: Due to their uncommonness within the hobby, there is limited information available regarding the breeding Hemigrammus neptunus; therefore, the general method accepted for the Hemigrammus species has been included.
A pair of Hemigrammus neptunus of at least one year of age should be separated (from both the shoal and from one another) and conditioned on insect larvae. Set up a breeding tank that has dense plantation, no artificial light, peat-filtered water and a slightly higher temperature. If the pair do not spawn within three days of being introduced into the breeding tank, repeat the process. If it still fails, try swapping one of the partners.
Once the parents-to-be have spawned, remove them from the tank as they are carnivorous and will consume the eggs. Once the fry have hatched, they can be fed on small particles of foods such as Infusoria, baby Brine Shrimp, micro-organisms, and flake foods, amongst others.
Comments: A shoal of Hemigrammus neptunus can be kept by themselves in a 40L tank. However, a community tank will need to be 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.
Hemigrammus neptunus is unusual in the hobby, there is a scarcity of information. Subsequently, general information regarding 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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