[2] The Flag Tetra, Hyphessobrycon heterorhabdus, exhibits a distinctively elongated and laterally compressed body shape, characteristic of many species within the characin family.

This species favors environments that offer a combination of clear and blackwater conditions, indicative of waters that are either transparent or tea-colored due to dissolved organic materials.

The dense vegetation and submerged woody debris found in these habitats not only offer protection from predators but also house a diverse array of microorganisms and invertebrates that form the diet of this species.

The water chemistry of their natural habitat tends to be slightly acidic to neutral, with a soft to moderately hard composition, reflecting the decomposing organic matter present in these environments.

In their natural habitat within the Amazon Basin, these fish adapt to a varied diet that includes micro-crustaceans, worms, small insects, and detritus, reflecting the rich biodiversity of their ecosystem.

The availability of such food sources is abundant in the slow-moving streams and creeks where they reside, often beneath the dense canopy of the rainforest which contributes to the proliferation of a diverse microfauna.