All fish / Characidae

Red-tailed Flag Tetra

Hyphessobrycon agulha

Also known as red tail flag tetra, agulha tetra, red-tailed flag tetra, red tailed flag tetra, ハイフェソブリコン・アグルハ, 红尾旗灯

A slim silvery tetra with a bold black stripe running along the rear of the body and a bright red lower tail lobe. It is hardy, active and peaceful, making it a good choice for planted community tanks when kept in a proper shoal.

Care at a glance

Care level

Easy

Temperament

Peaceful

Adult size

4.5 cm

Temperature

22 to 27 °C

pH

5.5 to 7.5

Smallest tank

60 litres

Keep as

Shoal of 8 or more

Diet

Omnivore: quality flakes and small granules, plus live or frozen bloodworm, daphnia and brine shrimp

Swims

Middle of the tank

Lifespan

3 to 5 years

Water

Freshwater

Wild range

Upper Amazon basin: Rio Madeira and tributaries in Brazil, Bolivia and Peru

Breeding

An egg scatterer that spawns among fine-leaved plants or spawning mops in soft, slightly acidic water. Parents eat the eggs, so adults should be removed after spawning; the fry need infusoria at first and it is fairly easy to breed.

Good to know

Often confused with the similar Hyphessobrycon heterorhabdus and other flag tetras. Can nip long fins if kept in too small a group.