Flameback Bleeding Heart Tetra Care Guide: Tank Setup, Diet & More

Table of Contents

• Key Takeaways
• Species Overview
• Classification
• Origin & Natural Habitat
• Appearance & Identification
• Average Size & Lifespan
• Care Guide
• Tank Mates
• Food & Diet
• Breeding & Reproduction
• Common Health Issues
• Common Mistakes to Avoid
• Where to Buy
• Frequently Asked Questions
• Closing Thoughts
• Recommended Video
• References

The flameback bleeding heart tetra is one of those species that makes you stop and look twice when you spot it at a specialty retailer. It’s closely related to the more common bleeding heart tetra, but with a twist. That flame-red stripe running along the dorsal ridge is something else entirely, and it sets this fish apart from anything else in the Hyphessobrycon genus.

This is not a beginner fish, and it’s not one you’ll find at your average big-box pet store. Hyphessobrycon pyrrhonotus is a Rio Negro blackwater specialist that demands soft, acidic water to thrive. If you’re running a hard, alkaline community tank, this one isn’t for you. But if you keep a blackwater setup or you’re willing to build one, the flameback bleeding heart is one of the most rewarding tetras you can add to it.

Let’s walk through everything you need to know to keep this species healthy and looking its best.

Key Takeaways

• Blackwater specialist that requires soft, acidic water (pH 4.5-6.5, 1-5 dGH) to thrive
• Distinctive flame-red dorsal stripe and bleeding heart marking make it one of the most striking tetras available
• Rarely available in the hobby, typically sourced through specialist importers rather than chain pet stores
• Peaceful schooling fish that does best in groups of 8 or more in a 20-gallon minimum tank
• Not the same as the common bleeding heart tetra (H. erythrostigma), though they share the characteristic red body spot

Species Overview

Field	Details
Scientific Name	Hyphessobrycon pyrrhonotus
Common Names	Flameback Bleeding Heart Tetra, Cherry-Spot Tetra
Family	Acestrorhamphidae
Origin	Rio Negro and Rio Uatumã basins, Brazil
Care Level	Moderate
Temperament	Peaceful
Diet	Omnivore
Tank Level	Mid
Maximum Size	2 inches (5 cm)
Minimum Tank Size	20 gallons (76 liters)
Temperature	75-84°F (24-29°C)
pH	4.5-6.5
Hardness	1-5 dGH
Lifespan	4-6 years
Breeding	Egg scatterer
Breeding Difficulty	Difficult (rarely bred in captivity)
Compatibility	Blackwater community
OK for Planted Tanks?	Yes

Classification

Taxonomic Level	Classification
Order	Characiformes
Family	Acestrorhamphidae (reclassified from Characidae, Melo et al. 2024)
Genus	Hyphessobrycon
Species	H. pyrrhonotus (Burgess, 1993)

This species was described by Warren Burgess in 1993 based on specimens collected from the Rio Negro basin in Brazil. The name pyrrhonotus comes from the Greek pyrrhos (flame-colored) and notos (back), a direct reference to the distinctive red dorsal stripe that makes this species instantly recognizable.

Note on reclassification: The 2024 phylogenomic study by Melo et al. moved Hyphessobrycon into the newly erected family Acestrorhamphidae, separate from the traditional Characidae. Some older references and databases may still list this species under Characidae. The genus Hyphessobrycon remains the accepted placement for this species.

Origin & Natural Habitat

The flameback bleeding heart tetra is native to the Rio Negro and Rio Uatumã basins in Brazil, both part of the greater Amazon drainage. The Rio Negro is one of the most famous blackwater river systems in the world, and for good reason. Its waters are stained dark brown by dissolved tannins and humic acids from decomposing leaves and plant matter on the forest floor.

In the wild, these fish inhabit slow-moving tributaries, flooded forest areas, and shaded side channels where the water is extremely soft and acidic. We’re talking pH values that can drop below 4.5 in some locations, with almost no measurable mineral hardness. The substrate is typically covered in leaf litter, and the canopy above limits light reaching the water. It’s a dim, tea-colored environment that looks nothing like a brightly lit display tank.

Understanding these natural conditions is critical for keeping this species successfully. Unlike some tetras that will adapt to a wide range of water chemistry, the flameback bleeding heart is genuinely dependent on soft, acidic conditions. This isn’t a fish that will do well in hard, alkaline tap water no matter how clean you keep the tank.

Appearance & Identification

The flameback bleeding heart tetra is a genuinely beautiful fish, and it has a combination of features you won’t find on any other common tetra species. The body is moderately deep and laterally compressed, typical of the deep-bodied Hyphessobrycon group. The base body color is an iridescent silver that catches light beautifully, especially in blackwater conditions where the dark water makes the scales really pop.

The feature that gives this fish its common name is the flame-red to orange dorsal stripe that runs along the back from behind the head to the dorsal fin. In good health and proper water conditions, this stripe is vivid and eye-catching. It’s the first thing you notice when you see this fish in a tank.

Like its more common cousin, the flameback also carries a reddish-pink spot on the body, the “bleeding heart” marking. It’s similar in placement to the spot on H. erythrostigma, but typically a bit smaller and sometimes more pinkish than deep red. The eyes are a striking red or reddish-orange, which adds to the overall warm-toned appearance of this fish.

Male vs. Female

Sexual dimorphism in this species is subtle compared to the common bleeding heart tetra. Males tend to be slightly slimmer and may show more intense coloration, particularly in the dorsal stripe and fin edges. Females are generally fuller-bodied, especially when carrying eggs, with slightly less vivid coloring overall. The differences become more apparent in mature, well-conditioned adults.

Average Size & Lifespan

The flameback bleeding heart tetra reaches a maximum size of about 2 inches (5 cm) in standard length. This puts it in the same general size range as many popular tetra species, and it’s slightly smaller than its cousin the common bleeding heart tetra (H. erythrostigma), which reaches closer to 2.5 inches.

With proper care in appropriate water conditions, expect a lifespan of 4 to 6 years. The key factors for longevity are maintaining soft, acidic water, providing a varied diet, and keeping them in a group large enough to feel secure. Fish kept in hard, alkaline water or in groups that are too small tend to be more stressed and may have shortened lifespans.

Care Guide

Tank Size

A 20-gallon tank is the minimum for a school of flameback bleeding heart tetras. These are active mid-level swimmers that need room to move, and keeping them in anything smaller leads to stress and lackluster coloring. For a mixed blackwater community, 30 gallons or more gives everyone enough space to coexist comfortably.

A longer tank footprint is better than a tall one. Aim for at least 24 inches of horizontal swimming space, and ideally 36 inches if you’re building a community around this species.

Water Parameters

Parameter	Ideal Range
Temperature	75-84°F (24-29°C)
pH	4.5-6.5
General Hardness	1-5 dGH
KH	0-2 dKH
Ammonia / Nitrite	0 ppm
Nitrate	Below 20 ppm

This is where the flameback bleeding heart separates itself from most community tetras. It requires soft, acidic water. This is not optional and it’s not a preference. If your tap water is hard and alkaline, you’ll need to use RO/DI water remineralized to the appropriate softness, or invest in a serious water softening setup.

The good news is that achieving these conditions is straightforward if you’re already running a blackwater tank. Indian almond leaves, driftwood, and peat filtration all help lower pH and add the tannins that these fish evolved to live in. A blackwater extract can supplement if needed. Just don’t try to force this fish into water chemistry it wasn’t built for.

Filtration & Water Flow

Gentle filtration is the way to go. A sponge filter or a hang-on-back filter with a reduced flow rate works well. These fish come from slow-moving tributaries and flooded forest areas, so they don’t appreciate a strong current. A canister filter on a larger tank is fine as long as you baffle the output or use a spray bar to diffuse the flow.

Peat filtration (adding peat to a filter media bag) serves double duty by providing gentle biological filtration and naturally softening and acidifying the water.

Lighting

Subdued lighting is strongly recommended. In the wild, these fish live under dense canopy cover in tannin-stained water where very little light penetrates. Bright aquarium lighting will wash out their colors and stress them. Floating plants are an easy way to cut down light intensity while also making the fish feel more secure.

Plants & Decorations

A blackwater-themed setup is ideal. Think driftwood, botanicals, and leaf litter as the primary hardscape. Indian almond leaves, oak leaves, and alder cones all work well and contribute tannins to the water as they decompose.

For live plants, stick with species that tolerate low light and acidic conditions. Java fern, Anubias, Bucephalandra, and Java moss are all excellent choices. These can be attached to driftwood rather than planted in substrate, which fits the natural look perfectly. Floating plants like Amazon frogbit, Salvinia, or red root floaters help dim the tank and give the fish a sense of overhead cover.

Substrate

A dark, fine-grained substrate works best. Dark sand or fine gravel mimics the natural leaf-litter bottom of their habitat and makes the fish’s coloring stand out. Avoid substrates that buffer pH upward, like crushed coral or aragonite, as these will work against the soft, acidic conditions this species needs.

Tank Mates

The key consideration with tank mates for the flameback bleeding heart tetra is shared water chemistry requirements. Any fish you pair with this species needs to tolerate (or ideally prefer) soft, acidic water. That narrows the field compared to a standard community tank, but there are still plenty of great options.

Best Tank Mates

• Cardinal tetras (another Rio Negro native, ideal match)
• Bleeding heart tetras (H. erythrostigma)
• Green neon tetras (Paracheirodon simulans)
• Pencilfish (Nannostomus species)
• Corydoras catfish (species that prefer softer water, like C. adolfoi or C. sterbai)
• Otocinclus catfish
• Dwarf cichlids (Apistogramma species thrive in the same conditions)
• Hatchetfish (marbled or silver)
• Small plecos (clown pleco, bristlenose)

Tank Mates to Avoid

• African cichlids or Central American cichlids (completely different water needs)
• Livebearers like guppies, mollies, and platies (they need harder, more alkaline water)
• Large or aggressive species that would bully or eat them
• Any fish that requires hard, alkaline conditions

Food & Diet

In the wild, flameback bleeding heart tetras are opportunistic omnivores that feed on small invertebrates, insect larvae, microcrustaceans, and organic matter in the water column. They’re not picky eaters in the aquarium, which is one of the easier aspects of keeping this species.

A varied diet brings out the best coloring and keeps them healthy:

• Staple: High-quality micro pellets or crushed flakes
• Frozen foods: Bloodworms, daphnia, brine shrimp, cyclops
• Live foods: Baby brine shrimp, daphnia, grindal worms, microworms
• Occasional treats: Freeze-dried tubifex, spirulina-based foods

Feed two to three times daily in small amounts that can be consumed within a couple of minutes. Regular frozen and live food offerings are especially important for maintaining the intensity of the red dorsal stripe and bleeding heart marking. A fish fed exclusively on dry food will never look as good as one getting a varied diet.

Breeding & Reproduction

The flameback bleeding heart tetra is rarely bred in captivity, and most specimens in the hobby are wild-caught. This is one of the more challenging tetras to spawn, and successful breeding reports are few and far between.

Breeding Difficulty

Difficult. The combination of very specific water chemistry requirements and the general reluctance of many deep-bodied Hyphessobrycon species to spawn in captivity makes this a project for experienced breeders only.

Spawning Tank Setup

• Breeding tank: 10 to 15 gallons with very dim lighting
• Decor: Fine-leaved plants like Java moss, spawning mops, or a layer of mesh to protect eggs
• Filtration: Gentle air-driven sponge filter only
• Substrate: Bare bottom or thin layer of dark sand

Water Conditions for Breeding

• Temperature: 79-82°F (26-28°C)
• pH: 5.0-5.5
• Hardness: Below 2 dGH, ideally near zero
• Use RO/DI water with minimal remineralization
• Tannins from Indian almond leaves or peat extract recommended

Conditioning & Spawning

Condition a well-matched pair with high-quality live and frozen foods for at least two to three weeks before attempting to breed. Females carrying eggs will appear noticeably rounder when viewed from above. Introduce the pair to the spawning tank in the evening, as spawning (if it occurs) typically happens in the early morning hours.

Egg & Fry Care

Like other Hyphessobrycon species, the flameback is an egg scatterer with no parental care. Adults will eat the eggs if given the opportunity, so remove them immediately after spawning. Eggs are light-sensitive, so keep the breeding tank dark or very dimly lit.

Eggs typically hatch within 24 to 36 hours, and fry become free-swimming in about 4 to 5 days. Start feeding with infusoria or commercial liquid fry food, then graduate to freshly hatched baby brine shrimp as the fry grow large enough to take them. Maintain pristine water quality throughout, as the extremely soft water required leaves very little buffering capacity.

Common Health Issues

Ich (White Spot Disease)

Stress from shipping, sudden temperature swings, or poor water conditions can trigger ich. Because this species needs warm water, gradually raising the temperature to 84-86°F for treatment works well and is often preferable to chemical treatments in soft, acidic water where medication dosing can be tricky.

Bacterial Infections

Columnaris and other bacterial infections can occur in stressed fish. Maintain clean water and avoid sudden changes in parameters. Quarantine all new arrivals for at least two weeks before adding them to your main display.

Stress-Related Issues

This species is more prone to stress than many common tetras, largely because of its specific water chemistry needs. Fish kept in hard, alkaline water may show faded coloring, loss of appetite, lethargy, and a weakened immune system that makes them vulnerable to opportunistic infections. If your flameback bleeding hearts are looking washed out and acting sluggish, check your water parameters before reaching for medication.

Neon Tetra Disease

This parasitic disease (caused by Pleistophora hyphessobryconis) can affect various tetra species, including Hyphessobrycon. There is no effective cure, so prevention through quarantine is essential. Avoid purchasing fish from tanks where any individuals show faded patches, unusual body shape, or erratic swimming.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Keeping them in hard, alkaline water: This is the number one mistake. The flameback bleeding heart tetra is a genuine blackwater species. It will not adapt to hard tap water like some more forgiving tetras will. You need soft, acidic conditions, period.
• Not using RO/DI water when needed: If your tap water has a pH above 7.0 or hardness above 8 dGH, you need to be using reverse osmosis or deionized water. There’s no shortcut around this.
• Too small a group: Like all schooling tetras, keeping fewer than 6 leads to stress and shy behavior. Aim for 8 or more for natural schooling and the best color display.
• Bright lighting without cover: These are forest-floor, blackwater fish. Blasting them with intense aquarium lighting all day will stress them out. Use floating plants or dim your lights.
• Mixing with hard-water species: Livebearers, African cichlids, and other hard-water fish need completely different conditions. You can’t compromise your way to parameters that work for both.
• Skipping quarantine: Since most specimens are wild-caught, quarantine is especially important. Wild fish can carry parasites and pathogens that captive-bred fish typically don’t.

Where to Buy

The flameback bleeding heart tetra is not a commonly stocked species. You won’t typically find it at chain pet stores, and even most independent fish stores don’t carry it regularly. It shows up in specialty imports from South American collectors, usually as wild-caught specimens from the Rio Negro region.

Your best bet for sourcing this species is through online retailers that specialize in rare and unusual freshwater fish. Check availability at:

• Flip Aquatics
• Dan’s Fish

When ordering wild-caught specimens, expect to pay a premium compared to common tetras. The limited availability and specialized collection logistics drive the price up. It’s also worth asking your local fish store if they can special-order them through their wholesaler.

Frequently Asked Questions

What’s the difference between the flameback bleeding heart tetra and the regular bleeding heart tetra?

They’re related but distinct species. The regular bleeding heart tetra (H. erythrostigma) is larger (up to 2.5 inches), more widely available, and much more adaptable to a range of water conditions. The flameback (H. pyrrhonotus) is smaller (about 2 inches), has the distinctive flame-red dorsal stripe that the common species lacks, and is far more demanding in terms of water chemistry. The flameback needs genuinely soft, acidic water, while the common bleeding heart can adapt to moderately hard water. Both have the red body spot, but the overall look and care requirements are quite different.

Can flameback bleeding heart tetras live in regular tap water?

It depends entirely on your tap water. If you happen to have naturally soft, acidic tap water (pH below 6.5 and hardness under 5 dGH), you may be fine. But most municipal tap water in North America is harder and more alkaline than what this species needs. In that case, you’ll need to use RO/DI water remineralized to the appropriate parameters. This is not a fish that adapts to whatever you give it.

How many flameback bleeding heart tetras should I keep together?

A minimum of 6, but 8 to 10 is better. Like most schooling tetras, they’re more confident, more colorful, and less stressed in a proper group. In a small group, they tend to hide and their colors fade. A good-sized school in a blackwater tank is a genuinely impressive display.

Are flameback bleeding heart tetras hard to keep?

They’re moderate in difficulty. The fish themselves are not delicate once established in proper conditions. The challenge is providing and maintaining the soft, acidic water they require. If you’re already running a blackwater setup or you’re comfortable working with RO/DI water, they’re straightforward. If you’ve never dealt with blackwater parameters before, there’s a learning curve, but it’s very manageable with the right equipment.

Can I keep flameback bleeding heart tetras with cardinal tetras?

Yes, this is actually one of the best pairings you can make. Cardinal tetras are also Rio Negro natives that thrive in the same soft, acidic conditions. The size difference is minimal, and both species are peaceful. The warm reds and blues of the cardinals complement the flameback’s fiery dorsal stripe beautifully.

Do flameback bleeding heart tetras need tannins in the water?

They don’t strictly require tannin-stained water, but they do much better with it. Tannins from Indian almond leaves, driftwood, and other botanicals help maintain the low pH and soft conditions these fish need. They also provide antifungal and antibacterial benefits. And honestly, a blackwater tank with tannin-stained water just looks right with these fish. It’s closer to their natural habitat and brings out their best colors.

Closing Thoughts

The flameback bleeding heart tetra is not for everyone, and that’s part of its appeal. This is a species for fishkeepers who are willing to provide specific conditions and seek out a fish that most hobbyists have never seen in person. The payoff is a tetra that’s genuinely unlike anything else in the hobby. That flame-red dorsal stripe against an iridescent silver body in a properly set up blackwater tank is something special.

If you’re already keeping a Rio Negro biotope or any soft, acidic community setup, the flameback bleeding heart deserves a spot on your stocking list. Pair it with cardinal tetras, some Apistogramma, a group of pencilfish, and a bed of Indian almond leaves, and you’ve got a tank that looks like a slice of the Amazon. It takes a bit more effort than throwing neons in a standard community, but the results speak for themselves.

Recommended Video

Check out our tetra tier list video where we rank the most popular tetras in the hobby, including the Flameback Bleeding Heart Tetra:

References

• Froese, R. and D. Pauly, Eds. FishBase. Hyphessobrycon pyrrhonotus. Accessed 2025.
• SeriouslyFish. Hyphessobrycon pyrrhonotus species profile. Accessed 2025.
• Burgess, W.E. (1993). Three new species of tetras from Brazil. Tropical Fish Hobbyist, 41(12), 30-39.
• Melo, B.F., et al. (2024). Phylogenomics of Characidae. Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society, 202(1), 1-37.

Explore More Tetras

The Flameback Bleeding Heart Tetra is just one of dozens of tetra species we cover in our complete species directory. Whether you’re looking for classic community tetras or unusual specialty species, our guide has you covered.

👉 Tetras: Complete A-Z Species Directory