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Lapis tetra

Hyphessobrycon cyanotaenia

Also known as Blue ribbon tetra

FreshwaterFish
Lapis tetra (Hyphessobrycon cyanotaenia)
The Wet Spot Tropical Fish · Used with permission

Care at a glance

Temperature
72–81°F (22–27°C)
pH
5.5–7.0
Adult size
1.7 in (4.4 cm)
Minimum tank
16 gal (60 L)
Temperament
Peaceful
Social behavior
Schooling
Swim level
Middle
Difficulty
Medium
Breeding
Hard
Rarity
Rare
Origin
Upper Juruena basin, Mato Grosso, Brazil
Family
Characidae

Overview

Six or more kept together will spar harmlessly among themselves and leave everyone else alone. It takes flake, granules, and frozen foods eagerly. Side lighting or a bright open lane in the tank shows off the blue flash that makes this species worth hunting down.

In the wild

The lapis tetra swims in clear upland streams of the upper Juruena, part of the Tapajos headwaters in Mato Grosso. It likes clean, oxygen-rich water with some current, a dark bottom, and temperatures of 22 to 27 degrees Celsius at pH 5.5 to 7.0.

Good to know

Described in 2005, Hyphessobrycon cyanotaenia reaches about 4.4 centimeters. The name means blue ribbon, for the deep blue-black lateral band that flashes electric blue when light hits it right, the trait that gave the fish its lapis trade name.

Did you know

Under a flashlight beam at night the flank stripe lights up like the gemstone it is named for, a party trick blackwater keepers discover by accident.

Tank mates

Lapis 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 Lapis tetra need?

A Lapis tetra needs at least 16 gal (60 L). It spends most of its time in the middle.

What temperature and pH do Lapis tetra need?

Lapis tetra are comfortable at 72–81°F (22–27°C) with a pH of 5.5–7.0.

How big do Lapis tetra get?

An adult Lapis tetra reaches about 1.7 in (4.4 cm).

Do Lapis tetra need a group?

Yes. Lapis 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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