Flame tetra

The flame tetra is native to Rio de Janeiro and São Paulo, from shallow, slow streams less than half a metre deep with dense vegetation. It is endangered in the wild through habitat loss, pollution and introduced species. It is farmed on a large scale — wild fish are no longer collected — including golden, orange and albino forms. Omnivorous, it schools, with dominance contests among males.

Scientific name

Hyphessobrycon flammeus

Family

Acestrorhamphidae