All fish / Characidae

Rosy Tetra

Hyphessobrycon rosaceus

Also known as rosy tetra, rosaceus tetra, bentosi tetra, white-fin rosy tetra, long-fin rosy tetra, rosey tetra, rosy finned tetra, ปลาโรซี่เตตร้า, ロージーテトラ, ikan rosy tetra, 玫瑰旗, 红旗灯

This is a deep-bodied, pinkish silver tetra with red fins and a tall black dorsal fin edged in white, which is especially showy in males. It is kept for its gentle nature and soft colouring, and it suits planted community tanks with subdued lighting.

Care at a glance

Care level

Easy

Temperament

Peaceful

Adult size

4 cm

Temperature

22 to 28 °C

pH

5.5 to 7.5

Smallest tank

60 litres

Keep as

Shoal of 8 or more

Diet

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

Swims

Middle of the tank

Lifespan

3 to 5 years

Water

Freshwater

Wild range

Guyana, Suriname, French Guiana and the lower Amazon basin, Brazil

Breeding

It scatters eggs among fine-leaved plants or spawning mops in soft, acidic water, and the parents will eat the eggs if left in the tank. Breeding is fairly easy in a separate tank, and the tiny fry need infusoria at first.

Good to know

In small groups it may nip long-finned tankmates, so keep a proper shoal. It is often confused with H. bentosi, and the two names are frequently swapped in the trade.