All fish / Characidae

Ornate Tetra

Hyphessobrycon bentosi

Also known as white-tip tetra, rosy tetra, ornate tetra, bentosi tetra, white fin ornate tetra, pink tetra, ロージー・テトラ, 玫瑰扯旗鱼, 红衣梦幻旗

A deep-bodied little tetra with a translucent pinkish body, a black patch on the tall dorsal fin edged in white, and white tips to the anal and pelvic fins. Males develop a longer, flowing dorsal fin. It is kept for its soft colours and calm shoaling behaviour in planted community tanks.

Care at a glance

Care level

Easy

Temperament

Peaceful

Adult size

4 cm

Temperature

23 to 28 °C

pH

5.5 to 7.2

Smallest tank

60 litres

Keep as

Shoal of 8 or more

Diet

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

Swims

Middle of the tank

Lifespan

3 to 5 years

Water

Freshwater

Wild range

Lower Amazon basin, Brazil (possibly also Guyana)

Breeding

An egg scatterer that spawns among fine-leaved plants or spawning mops in soft, slightly acidic water. Adults eat the eggs, so they should be removed after spawning; the fry need infusoria at first and the process is moderately difficult.

Good to know

Often confused with the similar rosy tetra (Hyphessobrycon rosaceus), and the two are frequently sold under each other's names. Males may spar a little but rarely do harm, although the long fins can attract fin-nippers.