Eilyos tetra
Hyphessobrycon eilyos
Also known as Araguaia dwarf tetra
FreshwaterFish
Care at a glance
- Temperature
- 72–81°F
- 22–27°C
- pH
- 5.5–7.2
- Adult size
- 1.2 in
- 3 cm
- Minimum tank
- 12 gal
- 45 L
- Temperament
- Peaceful
- Social behavior
- Schooling
- Swim level
- Middle
- Difficulty
- Medium
- Breeding
- No record
- Rarity
- Rare
- Family
- Characidae
- Origin
- Upper Araguaia basin, Mato Grosso, Brazil
Overview
The Eilyos tetra is a tiny, peaceful schooling fish for a nano tank. It is a step up from the easiest tetras and suits a keeper with a little experience.
Did you know
The Eilyos tetra comes from the same 2003 paper and the same Mato Grosso headwaters as Weitzman's tetra. The two obscure species entered science together, and they still mostly travel together on specialist import lists.
Caring for the Eilyos tetra
Keep Eilyos tetras in a group of six or more, in a modest planted tank of at least 12 gal (45 L). Hold the water at 72 to 81°F (22 to 27°C) and a pH of 5.5 to 7.2, with gentle flow. Stable, clean water brings out steadier color and bolder behavior in wild-type headwater fish like this one.
Feed crushed flake, micro pellets and baby brine shrimp. Eilyos tetras are peaceful, so keep them with other tiny, peaceful species. Leave out anything large enough to see them as a snack.
Good to know
Hyphessobrycon eilyos was described by Lima and Moreira in 2003 from the upper Araguaia. It is one of a trio of small tetras that the same paper described from that headwater region. The type specimen measured just over 22 millimeters in standard length.
In the wild
The Eilyos tetra was found in small creeks of the upper Araguaia in Mato Grosso. These are shallow, soft waters that thread through gallery forest.
Weekly picks
Tank mates
The Eilyos tetra is a 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.
Violet cory
Hoplisoma simile
Freshwater2.2 in (5.5 cm) · 12 gal (45 L)70–81°F (21–27°C)
Sicklefin livebearer
Girardinus falcatus
Freshwater2.6 in (6.5 cm) · 11 gal (40 L)68–82°F (20–28°C)
Bamboo shrimp
Atyopsis moluccensis
Freshwater3.9 in (10 cm) · 13 gal (50 L)72–84°F (22–29°C)
Wandering snail
Ampullaceana balthica
Freshwater0.8 in (2 cm) · 11 gal (40 L)50–84°F (10–29°C)
Dwarf barb
Pethia phutunio
Freshwater1.4 in (3.5 cm) · 12 gal (45 L)72–79°F (22–26°C)
Dwarf cory
Gastrodermus hastatus
Freshwater1.3 in (3.2 cm) · 12 gal (45 L)68–79°F (20–26°C)
Common questions
What size tank does an Eilyos tetra need?
An Eilyos tetra needs at least 12 gal (45 L). It spends most of its time in the middle.
What temperature and pH does an Eilyos tetra need?
An Eilyos tetra is comfortable at 72–81°F (22–27°C) with a pH of 5.5–7.2.
What does an Eilyos tetra eat?
An Eilyos tetra eats crushed flake, micro pellets and baby brine shrimp.
How big does an Eilyos tetra get?
An adult Eilyos tetra reaches about 1.2 in (3 cm).
Does an Eilyos tetra need a group?
Yes. An Eilyos tetra is a schooling species and should be kept in a group, not singly.
Related species
1.2 in (3 cm)12 gal (45 L)72–81°F (22–27°C)Weitzman's tetra
Hyphessobrycon weitzmanorum
1.2 in (3 cm) · 12 gal (45 L)
1.1 in (2.9 cm)10 gal (38 L)72–81°F (22–27°C)Ant tetra
Hyphessobrycon myrmex
1.1 in (2.9 cm) · 10 gal (38 L)
1.3 in (3.2 cm)12 gal (45 L)72–81°F (22–27°C)Micropterus tetra
Hyphessobrycon micropterus
1.3 in (3.2 cm) · 12 gal (45 L)
1.1 in (2.8 cm)10 gal (38 L)72–82°F (22–28°C)Calypso tetra
Hyphessobrycon axelrodi
1.1 in (2.8 cm) · 10 gal (38 L)
1.3 in (3.4 cm)12 gal (45 L)72–82°F (22–28°C)Kitty tetra
Hyphessobrycon heliacus
1.3 in (3.4 cm) · 12 gal (45 L)
1.3 in (3.4 cm)15 gal (55 L)68–79°F (20–26°C)Negodagua tetra
Hyphessobrycon negodagua
1.3 in (3.4 cm) · 15 gal (55 L)