The Rosy Red Tetra (Hyphessobrycon rosaceus) is a peaceful South American tetra that is often confused with Hyphessobrycon bentosi. It is found in the sluggish forest streams of Guyana and Suriname and is also called the Rosy Fin Tetra, White Finned Rosy Tetra, or Rosey Tetra by tropical fish keeping enthusiasts.
Rosy Red Tetras are only one of 30 species in the ” Rosy Tetra Clade” that have the same colors and body patterns. All are disk shaped and have light pink white bodies, red fins, and a conspicuous black spot on the dorsal fin (“flag”) that is usually underlined by a white or yellow tipped with white. All Rosy Red Tetras share a dark shoulder patch immediately behind their gill covers, which can be absent over a light substrate.
Male Rosy Red Tetras have a black elongated dorsal fin that sometimes has hints of white on the top edge. Females have rounder bodies and have white tipped dorsal, ventral and anal fins. The dorsal fins of the females are always smaller that males.
Rosy Red Tetras are a very peaceful species that are highly recommended for community aquariums. Because they are a shoaling species, they do best in groups of 6 or more and get along well with characins, gourami, angelfish, dwarf cichlids, the smaller catfish and loaches. Like the closely related Black Phantom Tetra (Hyphessobrycon megalopterus); keeping an even ratio of males to females will provide you with a continuous display of males of extending their dorsal fins to the females.
Rosy Red Tetras prefer living in the lower half of the aquarium and will school, mix, and interbreed with other “Rosy” or “Bentosi” species. They prefer a densely planted, soft water tank with some rocks, floating plants, and pieces of driftwood or bogwood to mimic the slow flowing streams they are found in.
Like many tetras, the Rosy Red Tetra is an egg scattering species that spawns in their natural habitat in schools. Females will scatter about 100 eggs, usually in the early morning hours over fine leaved vegetation. They can be encouraged to spawn in the aquarium by providing a conditioned pair with soft (less than 3dGH), acidic (pH 6.0 or less) water and a darkened tank. Remove the parents after spawning has occurred. The fry will hatch out in 24-36 hours and when they become free swimming (3-4 days later), feed them infusoria, , or baby brine shrimp until they are able to eat finely crushed flake food. The fry and eggs are light sensitive, so a dark tank is needed during the early stages of development.
Rosy Red Tetras are omnivores that readily accept flake foods, live, frozen or freeze dried bloodworms, brine shrimp, tubifex and daphnia.
When available for purchase, Rosy Red Tetras are usually 1″ in size.
Minimum Tank Size: 15 gallons
Care Level: Easy
Temperament: Peaceful
Aquarium Hardiness: Moderately Hardy
Water Conditions: 75-82° F, KH 4-8, dGH 12, pH 6.0-7.5
Max. Size: 1.6”
Color Form: Black, White
Diet: Omnivore
Compatibility: Suitable for peaceful community tanks
Origin: Central Brazil, Bolivia
Family: Characidae
Lifespan: 5 years
Aquarist Experience Level: Beginner
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[…] Cane Tetras are a schooling species that are similar in appearance to their close relative the Rosy Tetra (Hyphessobrycon rosaceus) which is why tropical fish keeping enthusiasts have aptly named them False Rosy […]