For several years now, tetras have been experiencing a renaissance in the aquarium hobby. As a result, exporters are also striving to offer new species that have not previously been available to aquarists. It is sometimes impossible to identify such new arrivals. This may be because they are (in the scientific sense) old but “forgotten” species, or because there are far more species yet to be scientifically documented than many people realize.
In any case, we were recently able to import a “tetra Cenepa”—that is, a tetra originating from the drainage of the Rio Cenepa (a river in northern Peru that forms part of the border between Ecuador and Peru and flows into the Marañón, which is the upper reaches of the Amazon)—that is not identical to any species known to us. It has (as far as can be judged from photos) a short, incomplete lateral line and a heavily scaled caudal fin, thus fitting the definition of the genus Hemigrammus.
Very similar are the “Hasemania sp. Yurimaguas,” also native to Peru (see https://www.aquariumglaser.de/en/fisharchive/hasemania-sp-yurimaguas-sp-orange-2/) and the Brazilian species Hyphessobrycon moniliger (https://www.aquariumglaser.de/en/09-characoids-tetra-relationship/hyphessobrycon-moniliger-4/). Hemigrammus sp. Cenepa is an extremely rare species and will likely remain so. Tetra enthusiasts should therefore seize the opportunity if they come across this species for sale.
Maximum size: approx. 4 cm; Temperature: 22–28°C; pH and hardness: not important for care (tap water), but soft and acidic for breeding; Diet: omnivorous; Social behavior: peaceful schooling fish.
For our customers: These animals are listed under code 256012 on our stock list. Please note that we supply exclusively to wholesale customers.
Text & photos: Frank Schäfer
