All fish / Characidae

Garnet Tetra

Hemigrammus pulcher

Also known as pretty tetra, black wedge tetra, garnet tetra, pulcher tetra, hemigrammus pulcher, ハイフィン・プルケール, プルケール, 红肚灯, 黑楔灯

A small, fairly deep-bodied tetra with a silvery body, a black wedge-shaped mark on the tail base topped by a coppery gold band, and a red-orange glint above the eye. It is kept for its calm shoaling behaviour and subtle colours, which look best in a planted tank with soft lighting.

Care at a glance

Care level

Easy

Temperament

Peaceful

Adult size

4.5 cm

Temperature

23 to 28 °C

pH

5.5 to 7.5

Smallest tank

60 litres

Keep as

Shoal of 8 or more

Diet

Omnivore: quality flakes and micro pellets, frozen bloodworm, daphnia and brine shrimp

Swims

Middle of the tank

Lifespan

3 to 5 years

Water

Freshwater

Wild range

Upper Amazon basin in Peru, Colombia and western Brazil

Breeding

It scatters eggs over fine-leaved plants or spawning mops and does not guard them, so adults should be removed after spawning. Breeding is possible but takes some effort, as it needs soft, acidic water and dim light, and the tiny fry need infusoria at first.

Good to know

Pale or unwell imports are common, so quarantine new fish. Very small or slow fish may be pestered, but in general it is a safe community tetra.