Bleeding heart tetra
Hyphessobrycon erythrostigma
easy careOverview
The bleeding heart tetra (Hyphessobrycon erythrostigma) is a large, tall-bodied tetra with a soft pinkish-silver sheen and a distinctive red “heart” spot on each flank. Males carry long, sail-like dorsal fins that make a mature shoal look magnificent. Peaceful and hardy, it needs more room than a typical nano tetra, but rewards the space with real presence in a planted community.
Tank & water
Being large, a shoal needs at least 110 litres (30 gallons) with height and swimming room. Key points:
- Temperature: hold 23–28 °C with a reliable heater.
- Soft, acidic water: they colour best at pH 5.5–7.0 and low to moderate hardness.
- Filtration: a good filter with gentle flow keeps water clean and stable.
- Planting and shade: driftwood, dense plants and soft light suit their preference and show off the males’ fins.
Feeding
Bleeding heart tetras are hearty omnivores. Feed a quality flake or pellet staple with frequent frozen or live foods — bloodworm, brine shrimp, daphnia — to build colour and condition, especially for developing male fins. Feed once or twice a day, only what they finish quickly.
Tankmates
They suit a peaceful community of medium-sized fish: congo tetras, rummynose tetras, larger rasboras, corydoras and calm dwarf cichlids like the bolivian ram. Avoid very small fish that may be intimidated and slow long-finned fish that could be nipped. Keep a shoal of six-plus — see best centerpiece fish for a community tank.
Common mistakes to avoid
- A tank too small for their size and height
- Keeping too few, which encourages nipping
- Pairing them with tiny or fancy-finned fish
- Hard, alkaline water that dulls their colour
Give bleeding hearts room, soft water and a proper group, and a shoal of finned males becomes a genuine showpiece.
Bleeding heart tetra — frequently asked questions
Why is it called a bleeding heart tetra?
For the small red spot on each side of the body, right over the heart, which looks like a drop of blood against the pinkish-silver body. Males add long, flowing dorsal and anal fins.
How big do bleeding heart tetras get?
Up to about 5–7 cm and fairly tall-bodied, making them one of the larger tetras. They need a roomy tank of at least 110 litres and are better suited to a community than a small nano setup.
Are bleeding heart tetras peaceful?
Generally yes, but they can nip long fins and squabble if kept in too small a group. A shoal of six or more and avoiding slow, fancy-finned tankmates keeps them well behaved.
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