All fish / Characidae

Yellow Tetra

Hyphessobrycon bifasciatus

Also known as yellow tetra, two-banded tetra, bifasciatus tetra, yellow bifasciatus, イエローテトラ, tetra kuning, 黄扯旗灯, 黄金灯

This small, deep-bodied tetra has a pale yellow to golden body and two faint dark vertical bars behind the gill cover. Its fins often show a yellow or reddish tint. It is hardy, tolerates cooler water than most tetras, and suits planted community tanks.

Care at a glance

Care level

Easy

Temperament

Peaceful

Adult size

4.5 cm

Temperature

20 to 25 °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

Coastal river basins of south-eastern Brazil

Breeding

It scatters eggs among fine-leaved plants and gives no parental care, so adults will eat the eggs. Breeding in a separate tank with soft, slightly acidic water and a spawning mesh is fairly easy, and the tiny fry need infusoria at first.

Good to know

It prefers subtropical temperatures, so avoid keeping it in very warm tanks over the long term. Kept in small numbers it may nip fins, so keep a proper shoal.