Cyprinidae: Hemigrammus Ocellifer

Thursday, 19 July 2012

Hemigrammus Ocellifer

The Silver-Tipped Tetra, Hasemania nana, was originally described as Tetragonopterus nanus. It was later placed in the genus Hemigrammus. Still later it was described as Hasemania marginata, before finally being given the current classification of Hasemania nana. Some still list it in the sub-family Tetragonopterinae, however that is considered inaccurate and the genera for this species is currently under study. The lack of an adipose fin easily distinguishes Hasemania nana from other species in the Hyphessobrycon and Hemigrammus genera.

Commonly known as the Silver-Tipped Tetra, or simply Silvertip, this species is also sometimes referred to as the Copper Tetra. This is due to the coppery color of healthy spawning males.