All fish / Characidae

Boulenger's Tetra

Hyphessobrycon boulengeri

Also known as boulenger's tetra, boulengeri tetra, spot-tail tetra, false flame tetra

A small, silvery tetra with a dark shoulder spot, a dark spot at the base of the tail and reddish fins. It comes from the cooler subtropical waters of southern South America, so it suits unheated or lightly heated community tanks. Keepers value it as a hardy, lively shoaling fish.

Care at a glance

Care level

Easy

Temperament

Peaceful

Adult size

4 cm

Temperature

18 to 26 °C

pH

6 to 7.5

Smallest tank

60 litres

Keep as

Shoal of 8 or more

Diet

Omnivore: small live and frozen foods such as daphnia and bloodworm, plus quality flakes and micro pellets

Swims

Middle of the tank

Lifespan

3 to 5 years

Water

Freshwater

Wild range

Southern Brazil, Uruguay and Argentina (Paraná, Uruguay and coastal basins)

Breeding

It scatters eggs among fine-leaved plants and gives no parental care, so the adults will eat the eggs. A separate tank with plant cover or mesh, soft slightly acidic water and tiny first foods for the fry gives reasonable success.

Good to know

It is seldom sold under its correct name and is easily confused with other plain Hyphessobrycon and Astyanax-like species, so check identification. It prefers cooler water than most tetras and should not be kept hot for long periods.