Rosy Tetra Care Guide - Aquarium Setup, Diet & Breeding

The Rosy Tetra is a delicate, graceful characin with a slender, translucent body washed in pink, rose and peach tones. A dark mark near the base of the tail contrasts with the reddish fins, while the eye often shows a vivid red accent that becomes more noticeable when the fish is settled and displaying.

These peaceful tetras are active without being boisterous, spending much of their time moving through the middle levels of the aquarium. In a well-kept group they develop a relaxed social rhythm, with males often showing off their colours and fins to one another without causing serious injury.

In nature, Rosy Tetras are associated with shaded forest streams, flooded woodland and slow tributaries. Leaf litter, submerged roots and tannins create a subdued environment with soft, acidic water and relatively little intense sunlight.

Hyphessobrycon rosaceus is a popular choice for planted and blackwater aquariums because its understated colours become especially attractive against dark surroundings. It is best appreciated as a coordinated shoal rather than as a solitary specimen, with its pink body and red eye standing out more strongly when the fish feel secure.

Rosy Tetras are native to slow-moving blackwater streams and tributaries of the upper Amazon and Orinoco drainage region in northern South America, particularly areas of Brazil and Colombia. They inhabit warm, tannin-stained waters associated with forested waterways.

A group of Rosy Tetras should have at least 60 litres, with a footprint of around 60 by 30 cm or larger; a longer aquarium is preferable because it provides more uninterrupted swimming space. Use a dark, fine substrate with driftwood, roots, leaf litter and areas of dense planting, while leaving open water through the centre. Floating plants and subdued lighting help recreate their shaded blackwater habitat, and gentle filtration with stable, clean water is important. Peat-free botanicals or safe tannin-producing materials may be used to create a natural appearance without making the water conditions unstable.

Up to about 3.5 cm (1.4 inches) in total length. Females are usually slightly larger and deeper-bodied than males.

Rosy Tetras are omnivores and thrive on a varied diet of high-quality small flakes or micro-pellets supplemented with frozen or live baby brine shrimp, daphnia, mosquito larvae and other suitably sized foods. Small feedings are preferable, and food should be fine enough for their small mouths. Regular vegetable-based ingredients can also form part of a balanced prepared diet.

Rosy Tetras are peaceful community fish and can be kept with other similarly sized, gentle species such as ember tetras, neon tetras, pencilfish, small rasboras, peaceful Corydoras and otocinclus catfish. They also suit calm dwarf cichlid communities when the aquarium is spacious and well structured. Avoid large or predatory fish, fin-nipping barbs and highly boisterous tankmates, which may frighten them, outcompete them for food or damage their delicate fins.

Rosy Tetras are egg-scattering spawners that can be bred in a separate, dimly lit breeding aquarium with very soft, acidic water and fine-leaved plants or spawning mops. Condition the adults with plenty of small live or frozen foods, then introduce a pair or small group. Spawning usually takes place among the plants, after which the adults should be removed because they may eat the eggs. The eggs hatch in roughly 24 to 36 hours, and the tiny fry need infusoria-sized food before progressing to larger foods such as newly hatched brine shrimp.

Males are generally slimmer and more vividly coloured, with proportionally longer and more pointed fins, particularly when displaying to rivals or females. Females tend to be fuller-bodied, especially when carrying eggs, and may appear slightly less intensely coloured.