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Crystal red tetra

Hyphessobrycon haraldschultzi

Also known as Megalamphodus haraldschultzi, Harald Schultz's tetra, Red Crystal Tetra

FreshwaterFish
Crystal red tetra (Hyphessobrycon haraldschultzi)
The Wet Spot Tropical Fish · Used with permission

Care at a glance

Temperature
73–82°F (23–28°C)
pH
5.5–7.0
Adult size
1 in (2.5 cm)
Minimum tank
10 gal (38 L)
Temperament
Peaceful
Social behavior
Schooling
Swim level
Middle
Difficulty
Medium
Breeding
Hard
Rarity
Rare
Origin
Araguaia basin, Brazil
Family
Characidae

Overview

Keep at least eight; this tiny fish schools tightly and colors up best in numbers. Foods must be small: crushed flake, micro granules, baby brine shrimp. It suits a nano community of similarly gentle miniatures, or a species tank where the red really carries.

In the wild

The crystal red tetra comes from the Araguaia basin, where it lives in warm, quiet margins with plenty of cover. A nano or small community tank with soft water, fine plants, 23 to 28 degrees Celsius, and pH 5.5 to 7.0 keeps it comfortable.

Good to know

Hyphessobrycon haraldschultzi was described by Travassos in 1960 and honors Harald Schultz, the Brazilian ethnographer and fish collector. Current classification places it in Megalamphodus. It stays around 2.5 centimeters, a glassy-bodied miniature washed in red.

Did you know

It shares its trade name with the crystal red shrimp for the same reason: a translucent body that lets red pigment glow like tinted glass.

Tank mates

Crystal red tetra is a peaceful, schooling species that keeps to the middle. These picks match on water type, temperature, pH, size and temperament.

Check the full mix in the stocking calculator

Common questions

What size tank does a Crystal red tetra need?

A Crystal red tetra needs at least 10 gal (38 L). It spends most of its time in the middle.

What temperature and pH do Crystal red tetra need?

Crystal red tetra are comfortable at 73–82°F (23–28°C) with a pH of 5.5–7.0.

How big do Crystal red tetra get?

An adult Crystal red tetra reaches about 1 in (2.5 cm).

Do Crystal red tetra need a group?

Yes. Crystal red tetra are a schooling species and should be kept in a group, not singly.

Where to buy

Some links may not be the exact species or variety.

…or ask your local fish store.

Appears in

Freshwater fish · Tetras · Nano fish · Schooling fish · Community fish

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