All fish / Characidae

Margitae tetra

Hyphessobrycon margitae

Also known as margitae tetra, margit's tetra, red margitae tetra, hyphessobrycon margitae

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A small, deep-bodied tetra described in 2006 from the upper rio Paraguay drainage in Brazil, with a reddish body, red-tinted fins and a dark shoulder spot. It is kept for its warm colours and calm shoaling behaviour, and it suits planted community tanks with other small, peaceful fish.

Care at a glance

Care level

Easy

Temperament

Peaceful

Adult size

3 cm

Temperature

22 to 28 °C

pH

5.5 to 7.5

Smallest tank

54 litres

Keep as

Shoal of 8 or more

Diet

Omnivore: small flakes, micro pellets, frozen and live daphnia, brine shrimp and bloodworm

Swims

Middle of the tank

Lifespan

3 to 5 years

Water

Freshwater

Wild range

Brazil (rio Paraguay basin, Mato Grosso)

Breeding

It scatters its eggs among fine plants and does not look after them, so the adults will eat eggs if left in the tank. Breeding in soft, slightly acidic water in a separate tank with fine-leaved plants or a spawning mesh is quite achievable, and the tiny fry need infusoria at first.

Good to know

It is seldom sold and can be confused with other red Hyphessobrycon species such as the serpae and bleeding heart tetras, so check the scientific name when buying. Avoid keeping it with large or fin-nipping fish.