Five valid species of the Hyphessobrycon heterorhabdus-group are recognized as occurring in Venezuela: Hyphessobrycon diancistrus, H. sovichthys, H. fernandezi, and two new species from Caribbean coastal drainages, H. paucilepis and H. tuyensis. A redescription of H. fernandezi is included and a neotype is designated. The distribution of these species is analyzed and a key is provided to aid identifi cation