Cachimbo tetra

Hyphessobrycon cachimbensis

Also known as Serra do Cachimbo tetra, Golden Flash Tetra

FreshwaterFish

Care at a glance

Temperature
72–81°F
22–27°C
pH
5.5–7.0
Adult size
2.7 in
6.8 cm
Minimum tank
26 gal
100 L
Temperament
Mostly peaceful
Breeding
No record
Rarity
Rare
Family
Characidae
Origin
Serra do Cachimbo, Para, Brazil

Overview

The Cachimbo tetra is a robust schooling tetra for a roomy community tank. It is a step up from beginner fish.

Did you know

Most Hyphessobrycon fit comfortably in a nano tank, but the Cachimbo tetra is one of the giants of the genus. It grows nearly three times the length of an ember tetra.

Caring for the Cachimbo tetra

Give Cachimbo tetras a longer tank than their smaller cousins need, at least 26 gal (100 L). They need swimming room and moderate flow.

Keep the water at cooler tropical temperatures, 72 to 81°F (22 to 27°C), with a pH of 5.5 to 7.0. Their larger mouths take bigger fare, such as granules, small pellets and meaty frozen foods.

Cachimbo tetras are mostly peaceful schooling fish. Keep six or more with peaceful fish of similar size. Avoid very small tank mates, simply because of the size difference.

Good to know

Hyphessobrycon cachimbensis was described by Travassos in 1964. It remains poorly studied and rarely exported. It is known mainly from the plateau region it is named after.

In the wild

The Cachimbo tetra comes from streams draining the Serra do Cachimbo uplands in Para, Brazil. The water there is clear and touched with tannins, and it runs over rock and sand.

Weekly picks

Tank mates

The Cachimbo tetra is a mostly peaceful, schooling species that keeps to the middle. These picks share a community profile with it, are safe together in both directions, and overlap on water type, temperature and pH.

Check the full mix in the stocking calculator

Common questions

What size tank does a Cachimbo tetra need?

A Cachimbo tetra needs at least 26 gal (100 L). It spends most of its time in the middle.

What temperature and pH does a Cachimbo tetra need?

A Cachimbo tetra is comfortable at 72–81°F (22–27°C) with a pH of 5.5–7.0.

What does a Cachimbo tetra eat?

A Cachimbo tetra has a larger mouth and takes bigger fare, such as granules, small pellets and meaty frozen foods.

How big does a Cachimbo tetra get?

An adult Cachimbo tetra reaches about 2.7 in (6.8 cm).

Does a Cachimbo tetra need a group?

Yes. A Cachimbo tetra is a schooling species and should be kept in a group, not singly.

Related species