Hexastichos tetra
Hyphessobrycon hexastichos
Also known as Six-row tetra, Zig Zag Tetra
FreshwaterFish
Care at a glance
- Temperature
- 72–81°F
- 22–27°C
- pH
- 5.5–7.0
- Adult size
- 2.6 in
- 6.5 cm
- Minimum tank
- 24 gal
- 90 L
- Temperament
- Mostly peaceful
- Social behavior
- Schooling
- Swim level
- Middle
- Difficulty
- Medium
- Breeding
- No record
- Rarity
- Rare
- Family
- Characidae
- Origin
- Rio Mutum, Chapada dos Parecis, Mato Grosso, Brazil
Overview
The Hexastichos tetra is a mostly peaceful schooling tetra with the energy of a barb. It holds the middle of the tank and is best with a little experience.
Did you know
The Hexastichos tetra's entire known range is a single river on one Brazilian plateau. In a tank it still carries itself like the biggest tetra in the room, because it usually is.
Caring for the Hexastichos tetra
Keep Hexastichos tetras in a group of six or more, in a tank of 24 gal (90 L) or larger. Choose one long enough for real swimming.
Cool-leaning, clear water with some current suits them. Hold the temperature at 72 to 81°F (22 to 27°C) and the pH at 5.5 to 7.0.
They take granules, flake and meaty frozen foods eagerly. Hexastichos tetras are fast and mildly boisterous at feeding time, so they are not fish for a nano community. Keep them with robust companions of a similar size.
Good to know
Bertaco and Carvalho described Hyphessobrycon hexastichos in 2005, and it is among the largest members of its genus. The holotype measured 53 millimeters in standard length. The name comes from the Greek for six rows, after the rows of scales that run along its body. Shops also sell it as the six-row tetra or zig zag tetra.
In the wild
The Hexastichos tetra is known from the Rio Mutum on the Chapada dos Parecis plateau in Mato Grosso, Brazil. The river is part of the headwaters of the Juruena.
Weekly picks
Tank mates
The Hexastichos 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.
Apple snail
Pomacea canaliculata
Freshwater5.9 in (15 cm) · 21 gal (80 L)64–81°F (18–27°C)
Twin-spot loach
Nemacheilus binotatus
Freshwater2.8 in (7 cm) · 24 gal (90 L)72–81°F (22–27°C)Siamese flying barb
Laubuka siamensis
Freshwater2.6 in (6.5 cm) · 24 gal (90 L)72–81°F (22–27°C)
Bangka rasbora
Rasbora bankanensis
Freshwater2.8 in (7 cm) · 24 gal (90 L)72–81°F (22–27°C)
Leopard cory
Brochis leopardus
Freshwater2.8 in (7 cm) · 24 gal (90 L)72–79°F (22–26°C)
Blue-eyed livebearer
Priapella intermedia
Freshwater2.8 in (7 cm) · 24 gal (90 L)72–82°F (22–28°C)
Common questions
What size tank does a Hexastichos tetra need?
A Hexastichos tetra needs at least 24 gal (90 L). It spends most of its time in the middle.
What temperature and pH does a Hexastichos tetra need?
A Hexastichos tetra is comfortable at 72–81°F (22–27°C) with a pH of 5.5–7.0.
What does a Hexastichos tetra eat?
A Hexastichos tetra eagerly takes granules, flake and meaty frozen foods. It is fast and mildly boisterous at feeding time.
How big does a Hexastichos tetra get?
An adult Hexastichos tetra reaches about 2.6 in (6.5 cm).
Does a Hexastichos tetra need a group?
Yes. A Hexastichos tetra is a schooling species and should be kept in a group, not singly.
Related species
2.7 in (6.8 cm)26 gal (100 L)72–81°F (22–27°C)Cachimbo tetra
Hyphessobrycon cachimbensis
2.7 in (6.8 cm) · 26 gal (100 L)
2.6 in (6.5 cm)20 gal (75 L)73–82°F (23–28°C)Colombian tetra
Hyphessobrycon columbianus
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2.4 in (6 cm)20 gal (75 L)70–81°F (21–27°C)Bleeding heart tetra
Hyphessobrycon erythrostigma
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2.2 in (5.6 cm)24 gal (90 L)73–82°F (23–28°C)Lesser bleeding heart tetra
Hyphessobrycon socolofi
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2.1 in (5.4 cm)20 gal (75 L)75–82°F (24–28°C)Flameback bleeding heart tetra
Hyphessobrycon pyrrhonotus
2.1 in (5.4 cm) · 20 gal (75 L)
2 in (5.2 cm)17 gal (65 L)72–81°F (22–27°C)Agulha tetra
Hyphessobrycon agulha
2 in (5.2 cm) · 17 gal (65 L)