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Eilyos tetra

Hyphessobrycon eilyos

Also known as Araguaia dwarf tetra

FreshwaterFish
Eilyos tetra (Hyphessobrycon eilyos)
The Wet Spot Tropical Fish · Used with permission

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
Origin
Upper Araguaia basin, Mato Grosso, Brazil
Family
Characidae

Overview

A nano-tank citizen: keep six or more with other tiny, peaceful species and nothing large enough to see it as a snack. Crushed flake, micro pellets, and baby brine shrimp cover its diet. Wild-type headwater fish like this reward stable, clean water with steadier color and bolder behavior.

In the wild

This little tetra was found in small creeks of the upper Araguaia in Mato Grosso, shallow soft water threading through gallery forest. A modest planted tank with gentle flow, 22 to 27 degrees Celsius, and pH 5.5 to 7.2 suits it well.

Good to know

Hyphessobrycon eilyos was described by Lima and Moreira in 2003 from the upper Araguaia; the type specimen measured just over 22 millimeters standard length, so a full adult runs about 3 centimeters. It is one of a trio of small tetras the same paper described from that headwater region.

Did you know

It comes from the same 2003 paper and the same Mato Grosso headwaters as Weitzman's tetra, two obscure species that entered science together and still mostly travel together in specialist import lists.

Tank mates

Eilyos 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 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 do Eilyos tetra need?

Eilyos tetra are comfortable at 72–81°F (22–27°C) with a pH of 5.5–7.2.

How big do Eilyos tetra get?

An adult Eilyos tetra reaches about 1.2 in (3 cm).

Do Eilyos tetra need a group?

Yes. Eilyos 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 · Schooling fish · Community fish

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