Description
Rosy Tetra (Hyphessobrycon rosaceus)
Overview
The Rosy Tetra (Hyphessobrycon rosaceus), also known as the White-Finned Rosy Tetra, is a small, vibrant freshwater fish native to South America, specifically the Essequibo, Corantijn, and Suriname River basins in Guyana, Suriname, and Brazil. Growing to 3–4 cm in captivity, it displays a rose-pink body, red fins with white tips, and a distinctive black and white dorsal fin. Its peaceful demeanor, adaptability, and schooling Behaviour make it a popular choice for community aquariums, suitable for both beginner and experienced aquarists.
Care Requirements
- Tank Size: Minimum 60 liters with at least 80 cm frontage for a group of 6–10 fish. Larger tanks (70–100 liters) are ideal for schooling and swimming space.
- Water Parameters:
- Temperature: 24–28°C, not exceeding 31°C for long periods
- pH: 5.5–7.5 (slightly acidic preferred, 6.0–6.5 for breeding)
- Hardness: 2–19 dGH (soft water, 4–8 dGH for breeding)
- Nitrate: <50 mg/L
- Use a dechlorinator during water changes to neutralize chlorine and chloramines.
- Filtration: Gentle flow filter (sponge or hang-on-back) to maintain clean water without strong currents, mimicking their natural sluggish tributaries.
- Substrate: Dark sand or fine gravel to enhance colouration and replicate Amazonian riverbeds.
- Décor: Dense planting (e.g., Java moss, Cabomba, Anubias) and floating plants (e.g., Salvinia) for cover and subdued lighting. Add driftwood and leaf litter (e.g., beech, oak) to release tannins, simulating blackwater conditions. Ensure open swimming space.
- Lighting: Dim to highlight their pink hues and reduce stress. Floating plants or low-wattage lights are recommended.
- Cover: Secure lid required, as they are known to jump.
Maintenance
- Water Changes: Replace 20–30% of water every 1–2 weeks to prevent nitrate/ammonium buildup. Use a gravel vacuum to remove debris.
- Tank Cleaning: Clean filter media monthly and avoid overstocking to minimize pollution. Remove decaying plant matter to maintain water quality.
- Monitoring: Test water parameters (temperature, pH, hardness, nitrate) weekly to ensure stability, as fluctuations can stress fish.
- Health: Watch for signs of stress (fading colours, hiding) or diseases like ich (white spots). Quarantine affected fish to prevent spread.
- Lifespan: Up to 5 years with stable conditions and proper care.
Diet
- Natural Diet: Omnivorous, feeding on small invertebrates, crustaceans, insect larvae, algae, and plant debris in the wild.
- Aquarium Diet:
- High-quality flakes or micropellets (e.g., TetraMin, Hikari Micro Pellets) as a staple.
- Live or frozen foods (brine shrimp, daphnia, bloodworms, micro worms) to enhance colouration and health.
- Occasional vegetable matter (e.g., spirulina flakes, blanched spinach) for variety.
- Feeding Frequency: Small portions 2–3 times daily, consumed within 3–5 minutes to avoid overfeeding and water pollution.
- Variety: A varied diet promotes vibrant colours and immune health.
Behaviour and Compatibility
- Behaviour: Peaceful, active, and shoaling, requiring groups of 6–10+ (preferably 10–15) to feel secure and display natural schooling. Solitary or small groups lead to stress, fin-nipping, or disease susceptibility. They swim in mid-water layers and thrive in planted tanks with hiding spots.
- Compatibility: Ideal for community tanks with small, peaceful species.
- Suitable tankmates:
- Small tetras (e.g., Neon Tetras, Ember Tetras), rasboras, danios
- Peaceful bottom-dwellers (e.g., Corydoras, Kuhli loaches)
- Dwarf cichlids (e.g., Apistogramma, Bolivian Rams), pencil fish
- Larger fish like angelfish or discus in spacious tanks
- Avoid aggressive, fast-swimming, or large fish (e.g., tiger barbs, large cichlids) that may outcompete or stress them. Mixing with closely related species (e.g., Hyphessobrycon bentosi) may lead to hybridization in small tanks.
Mixing Species: Avoid overcrowding with other mid-water shoaling species unless the tank is large enough to prevent competition.
Breeding Behaviour
Reproduction: Moderately difficult but achievable with proper setup. Egg scatterers, laying 100–200 light-sensitive eggs among plants or spawning mops. Parents eat eggs, so removal post-spawning is essential.
Picture for illustrative purposes only. Either come in store to view available stock or request pictures to be sent to you.
Please Note: Due to variations within species resulting from age, region, sex, etc., the actual livestock may not look identical to the image. Approximate size range may also vary between individual specimens.
