The fascinating freshwater fish Ornatus vulgaris, scientifically named Hyphessobrycon bentosi, has gained popularity among aquarium enthusiasts. It gives any tank a hint of natural beauty with its vivid colors and lively behavior.
This species, which is native to the serene, shaded waters of the Amazon Basin, flourishes in communal aquariums where it can freely swim alongside other tranquil fish. Its remarkable appearance—a shimmering body and graceful fins—makes it a unique addition to any aquatic setting.
The Ornatus vulgaris is a great option for both beginning and seasoned aquarists due to its hardy nature, which goes beyond its aesthetic appeal. The secret to maintaining a healthy and flourishing aquarium is to be aware of its natural habitat and care needs.
| Aspect | Description |
| Scientific Name | Hyphessobrycon bentosi |
| Common Name | Ornatus vulgaris |
| Family | Characidae |
| Origin | Amazon Basin, South America |
| Size | Up to 4 cm (1.6 inches) |
| Temperament | Peaceful and social |
| Water Conditions | Soft, slightly acidic water; temperature between 24-28°C (75-82°F) |
| Diet | Omnivorous, enjoys a mix of flakes, live, and frozen foods |
| Tank Setup | Planted aquarium with hiding spots and open swimming areas |
| Care Level | Easy, suitable for beginners |
Hyphessobrycon bentosi, another name for Ornatus vulgaris, is a gorgeous freshwater fish that adds vivid color and dynamic movement to any aquarium. This species is well-liked by both novice and expert aquarists due to its calm temperament and ease of maintenance. It is the perfect choice for community tanks because of its ability to adapt to different water conditions, where it coexists peacefully with other small, non-aggressive fish.
Habitat and habitat
South America, basin of the Amazon River.
"Amazon River in Obidos, Para, Brazil" is the type of terrain that describes the town of Obidos, which is situated on the main channel between the mouths of the Trombetas and Tapajos rivers in the lower Amazon basin.
They are mostly found in slow-moving creeks, tributaries, and forest lakes. They are frequently found near submerged roots, fallen branches, aquatic plants, and overhanging riparian vegetation.
The slow release of tannins and organic acids from decomposing plant matter causes the water to become brown in color, have low dissolved mineral concentrations, and be inadequately buffered.
Description
The fish in question is a stunning example of a characin; its blood-red background contrasts beautifully with the white tips of its pelvic fins, and its sickle-shaped fin ends and intensely red spots on its caudal fin round out the striking appearance of this species. During courtship, males "charm" females with their extended dorsal fin.
A stocky frame, like every other species in the genus. With a sickle-shaped upper dorsal fin, the body is compressed from the sides and thickened in the middle. Adipose fins, common in tetras, are located between the dorsal and caudal fins and serve as stabilizing aids during swimming.
Its body color is an orange-pink tint. The area around the abdomen is pale pink, almost white. The dorsal fin has a border of white on top and is a deep shade of black. Two reddish-rounded spots, one in the center of each lobe, are visible on the transparent caudal fin. The tips of the thin, reddish-pink ventral fins are white. The abdominal cavity and the anal fin share the same color.
Size
40 to 45 mm is the maximum standard length.
Behavior and compatibility
These fish are excellent additions to a carefully selected aquarium community because they are peaceful, active, and schooling.
It is best to keep with other fish that are similar in size, such as wedge-bellied characins, small callichthyid or loricariid catfish, and small to medium-sized non-predatory cichlids.
A mixed-sex group of at least 8–10 fish is ideal, as this species exhibits more interesting behavior and brighter colors when kept in a school, where males compete for the attention of females and form temporary hierarchies.
Aquarium
Aquarium size
An aquarium with basic measurements of 60 x 30 cm or less is thought to be the smallest.
While it doesn’t really matter, the right décor can help the fish show off their best colors when housed in a clean, well-maintained aquarium with live plants and a dark substrate.
A soft sandy substrate with organic driftwood, roots, and branches arranged so that there are lots of shaded spots can make for a design that looks natural.
The addition of dried leaf litter would accentuate the biotope-like atmosphere and the subsequent development of beneficial bacterial colonies as the leaves break down. In addition to serving as a valuable secondary food source for fry, the tannins and other compounds released by decomposing leaves can help replicate natural environments. You can either remove and replace the leaves every few weeks, or you can leave them in the aquarium to completely decompose.
This species will also enjoy the floating vegetation, and it prefers the content in relatively weak light.
They need pure water, just like many fish that inhabit pristine environments naturally do. Therefore, weekly water replacements should be routine, and they should never be planted in an aquarium that is still developing biologically.
Water parameters:
StRESS: 5 – 19 DH; pH: 5.0 – 7.5; Temperature: 24 – 28°C.
Nutrition
Being omnivores, they typically consume small invertebrates, crustaceans, filamentous algae, seeds that fall from the sky, and similar items.
It can live on dry food in aquariums, but like most aquarium fish, it’s best to provide a varied menu. In this case, that means offering live and frozen bloodworms, tubifex, daphnia, moina, and other items.
Feeding schedule: feed either once or twice daily.
Sexual dimorphism
Compared to females, adult males are typically less rounded, slightly smaller, and have more vibrant colors, particularly on the dorsal and anal fins. Females have a small dorsal fin with a more prominent white tip on top, whereas males have an elongated fin.
Breeding
They are fish that fall freely and neglect their eggs.
Adult fish frequently spawn in thriving aquariums, so it’s possible that a few fry will show up on their own. However, if you want to maximize the number of offspring, you’ll need to take more controlled measures.
Before spawning, keep males and females in different tanks to maximize breeding success. The chosen fish should be fed heavily at this point, ideally with live food. In the evening, move a couple of the breeders or a small group to the spawning tank. A mature female will develop a pronounced rounding of the abdomen. Choose the smartest males for yourself.
Use prepared water in a 20-liter tank. Because the eggs are light-sensitive, lighting should be kept extremely low. Low light levels also encourage spawning. On the bottom of the spawning tank is a net with a mesh size big enough for the eggs to fall through but small enough that the breeders cannot reach them. The popular plastic "grass" covering is another option that functions well. As an alternative, you could completely fill the breeding tank with small-leaved plants like loofahs made of synthetic fiber or Java moss, which can also produce positive effects.
The water should have a pH of 6.5, be slightly acidic to neutral, and have a hardness of 2 to 4 dGH. It should also be in the upper range of 26 to 27 °C. Installing an air filter made of a sponge or even just an air stone (sprayer) is necessary to fully saturate the water with oxygen and its movement.
One pair or a group of fish, comprising one or two males and several females, can be moved to the spawning tank and kept there until eggs are discovered (usually the following morning) if the breeders are well-prepared.
As soon as the breeders lay their eggs—roughly 300 to 400 of them—you should remove them. The translucent-brownish eggs have a diameter of approximately 0.7 mm.
A 24- to 36-hour period is needed for incubation. After five days, the larva will begin swimming freely. Four to five portions per day is the initial feeding schedule.
As soon as the fry are big enough to eat them, give them Artemia nauplii, or microworms (nematodes), or Paramecium, a premium dry micro food with a fraction of 5 to 50 microns.
More frequently change the aquarium’s water, being cautious not to take out the fry in the process.
Five years or more to live.
Any freshwater aquarium would benefit from the addition of the fascinating Ornatus vulgaris, better known as the Bentosi Tetra. It is a favorite among aquarists, especially those who value a lively and aesthetically pleasing tank, because of its vivid colors and serene disposition.
Soft, slightly acidic water, lots of swimming space, and lots of hiding places are the ideal conditions for these fish to flourish in. They are also an excellent choice for community tanks due to their gregarious nature and compatibility with other peaceful species.
All things considered, the Bentosi Tetra is a hardy and lovely fish that livens up any aquarium with its vibrant colors. These tetras can thrive with the right care, giving aquarists of all skill levels countless hours of enjoyment.
