Micropterus tetra
Hyphessobrycon micropterus
Also known as Megalamphodus micropterus, Strawberry Tetra
Care at a glance
- Temperature
- 72–81°F (22–27°C)
- pH
- 6.0–7.5
- Adult size
- 1.3 in (3.2 cm)
- Minimum tank
- 12 gal (45 L)
- Temperament
- Peaceful
- Social behavior
- Schooling
- Swim level
- Middle
- Difficulty
- Medium
- Breeding
- No record
- Rarity
- Rare
- Origin
- Sao Francisco basin, Brazil
- Family
- Characidae
Overview
A peaceful schooler; keep six or more with other small easygoing fish. It takes crushed flake, granules, and small frozen foods. Sao Francisco fish tolerate harder water than their Amazon cousins, making this a phantom tetra for keepers whose tap water never reads soft.
In the wild
This phantom-type tetra comes from the Sao Francisco basin, a big Brazilian river system outside the Amazon, where water runs closer to neutral. Keep it at 22 to 27 degrees Celsius, pH 6.0 to 7.5, in a planted tank with modest flow.
Good to know
Hyphessobrycon micropterus reaches about 3.2 centimeters; the name means small fin. Current classification places it in Megalamphodus with the phantom tetras, and it shows the group's trademark shoulder blotch on a compact, deep body.
Did you know
The Sao Francisco river it comes from is nicknamed the river of national unity in Brazil, flowing 2,900 kilometers through five states, none of them Amazonian.
Tank mates
Micropterus tetra is a peaceful, schooling species that keeps to the middle. These picks match on water type, temperature, pH, size and temperament.
Dwarf cory
Gastrodermus hastatusFreshwater1.3 in (3.2 cm)12 gal (45 L)68–79°F (20–26°C)
Dwarf pencilfish
Nannostomus marginatusFreshwater1 in (2.5 cm)12 gal (45 L)72–82°F (22–28°C)
Black-barred livebearer
Quintana atrizonaFreshwater1.3 in (3.4 cm)11 gal (40 L)72–82°F (22–28°C)
Blackspot dwarf barb
Enteromius stigmatopygusFreshwater1.4 in (3.5 cm)11 gal (40 L)72–81°F (22–27°C)
Barred-tail cory
Hoplisoma cochuiFreshwater1.4 in (3.5 cm)13 gal (50 L)70–82°F (21–28°C)
Glowlight rasbora
Trigonostigma hengeliFreshwater1.6 in (4 cm)12 gal (45 L)73–82°F (23–28°C)
Common questions
What size tank does a Micropterus tetra need?
A Micropterus tetra needs at least 12 gal (45 L). It spends most of its time in the middle.
What temperature and pH do Micropterus tetra need?
Micropterus tetra are comfortable at 72–81°F (22–27°C) with a pH of 6.0–7.5.
How big do Micropterus tetra get?
An adult Micropterus tetra reaches about 1.3 in (3.2 cm).
Do Micropterus tetra need a group?
Yes. Micropterus 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.
- Imperial Tropicals Freshwater fish and inverts bred at a Florida hatchery
- 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 Micropterus tetra?
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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)Kitty tetra
Hyphessobrycon heliacusFreshwater1.3 in (3.4 cm)12 gal (45 L)72–82°F (22–28°C)
Eilyos tetra
Hyphessobrycon eilyosFreshwater1.2 in (3 cm)12 gal (45 L)72–81°F (22–27°C)
Weitzman's tetra
Hyphessobrycon weitzmanorumFreshwater1.2 in (3 cm)12 gal (45 L)72–81°F (22–27°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)