Rosy Tetra

The rosy tetra (Hyphessobrycon rosaceus) is one of the older South American tetras in the hobby and still one of the more elegant. The body is a translucent pinkish rose that deepens to red in the fins, and mature males carry a tall, sickle-shaped dorsal fin edged in black and white that they raise when displaying to one another. Those display contests, harmless and constant, are most of the reason to keep a decent-sized group.

Aquarium care

• Reaches roughly 4 cm.
• Peaceful and suited to a community tank.
• Keep six or more; males display to each other rather than bothering tankmates.
• Prefers soft, slightly acidic water.
• Mid-water swimmer.
• Omnivorous: flake, micro pellets, frozen daphnia and bloodworm.

Rosy tetras look their best over dark substrate with driftwood and planting around the edges, which brings out the pink instead of washing it out. They mix comfortably with corydoras, other small tetras and dwarf cichlids. Colour and fin length vary between shipments, so what is in the tank is what we have.

Stock rotates with each shipment, and livestock is sold for local pickup at our Lethbridge store. See the current tetras.