All fish / Characidae

Calypso tetra

Hyphessobrycon axelrodi

Also known as calypso tetra, axelrod's tetra, trinidad tetra, calypso

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This is a small, fairly deep-bodied tetra with a silvery body that turns pinkish red. It has a dark shoulder mark and reddish fins. Fishkeepers like it because it stays small, is peaceful and settles well in a planted community tank. It is not often seen in shops, so tetra enthusiasts value it.

Care at a glance

Care level

Easy

Temperament

Peaceful

Adult size

3 cm

Temperature

22 to 27 °C

pH

6 to 7.5

Smallest tank

54 litres

Keep as

Shoal of 8 or more

Diet

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

Swims

Middle of the tank

Lifespan

3 to 5 years

Water

Freshwater

Wild range

Trinidad and coastal drainages of northeastern Venezuela

Breeding

It scatters its eggs among fine-leaved plants or spawning mops and gives no parental care. Spawning is fairly easy in soft, slightly acidic water. Move the adults out afterwards, and feed the tiny fry infusoria at first.

Good to know

Do not mix this fish up with the cardinal tetra, which used to be called Cheirodon axelrodi and is now Paracheirodon axelrodi. Keep it away from large fish that could eat it.