Kitty tetra
Hyphessobrycon heliacus
Also known as Heliacus tetra
Care at a glance
- Temperature
- 72–82°F (22–28°C)
- pH
- 5.5–7.0
- Adult size
- 1.3 in (3.4 cm)
- Minimum tank
- 12 gal (45 L)
- Temperament
- Peaceful
- Social behavior
- Schooling
- Swim level
- Middle
- Difficulty
- Medium
- Breeding
- Medium
- Rarity
- Common
- Origin
- Teles Pires drainage, upper Tapajos basin, Brazil
- Family
- Characidae
Overview
A group of six or more settles quickly and shows near-constant low-stakes display between males. It eats crushed flake, granules, and small frozen foods. An easygoing pick for a softwater community alongside corys, dwarf cichlids, and other small tetras.
In the wild
The kitty tetra comes from the Teles Pires, one of the big clearwater headwaters of the Tapajos. It appreciates clean, gently flowing water, a planted layout with open swimming space, 22 to 28 degrees Celsius, and pH 5.5 to 7.0.
Good to know
Hyphessobrycon heliacus reaches about 3.4 centimeters; the species name derives from the Greek for sun. It has the compact, high-bodied look of the rosy tetra group, with warm amber tones and a dark dorsal flag that flicks constantly as males posture.
Did you know
Nobody is quite sure where the kitty in kitty tetra came from; the scientific name says sun, the trade name says housecat, and the fish answers to both.
Tank mates
Kitty tetra is a peaceful, schooling species that keeps to the middle. These picks match on water type, temperature, pH, size and temperament.
Blacktop cory
Corydoras acutusFreshwater1.7 in (4.4 cm)13 gal (50 L)72–82°F (22–28°C)
Ruby tetra
Axelrodia rieseiFreshwater0.8 in (2 cm)12 gal (45 L)73–81°F (23–27°C)
Barred-tail cory
Hoplisoma cochuiFreshwater1.4 in (3.5 cm)13 gal (50 L)70–82°F (21–28°C)
Threestripe croaking gourami
Trichopsis schalleriFreshwater2 in (5 cm)12 gal (45 L)72–82°F (22–28°C)
Dusky millions fish
Phalloceros caudimaculatusFreshwater2.4 in (6 cm)12 gal (45 L)64–75°F (18–24°C)
Hummingbird tetra
Trochilocharax ornatusFreshwater0.8 in (2 cm)12 gal (45 L)73–81°F (23–27°C)
Common questions
What size tank does a Kitty tetra need?
A Kitty tetra needs at least 12 gal (45 L). It spends most of its time in the middle.
What temperature and pH do Kitty tetra need?
Kitty tetra are comfortable at 72–82°F (22–28°C) with a pH of 5.5–7.0.
How big do Kitty tetra get?
An adult Kitty tetra reaches about 1.3 in (3.4 cm).
Do Kitty tetra need a group?
Yes. Kitty 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.
- Aquatic Arts Freshwater fish, shrimp and snails with an arrive-alive guarantee
- The Wet Spot Tropical Fish Large selection of quarantined tropical freshwater fish, with live arrival guarantee and Next Day Air flat rate shipping to all US locations
…or ask your local fish store.
Appears in
Keeping Kitty tetra?
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Planning tankmates
See how Kitty tetra fits a stocking plan. Open the stocking calculator
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Related species
Negodagua tetra
Hyphessobrycon negodaguaFreshwater1.3 in (3.4 cm)15 gal (55 L)68–79°F (20–26°C)
Black Neon Tetra
Hyphessobrycon herbertaxelrodiFreshwater1.4 in (3.5 cm)16 gal (60 L)72–82°F (22–28°C)
Colombian gold tetra
Hyphessobrycon saiziFreshwater1.4 in (3.5 cm)14 gal (54 L)73–82°F (23–28°C)
Flag Tetra
Hyphessobrycon heterorhabdusFreshwater1.4 in (3.5 cm)16 gal (60 L)70–81°F (21–27°C)
Loreto tetra
Hyphessobrycon loretoensisFreshwater1.4 in (3.5 cm)16 gal (60 L)72–81°F (22–27°C)
Notidanos tetra
Hyphessobrycon notidanosFreshwater1.4 in (3.5 cm)15 gal (55 L)72–81°F (22–27°C)