Parrot tetra
Hyphessobrycon psittacus
Also known as Papagaio tetra, Psittacus Tetra
Care at a glance
- Temperature
- 72–81°F (22–27°C)
- pH
- 5.0–7.0
- Adult size
- 1.6 in (4 cm)
- Minimum tank
- 16 gal (60 L)
- Temperament
- Peaceful
- Social behavior
- Schooling
- Swim level
- Middle
- Difficulty
- Medium
- Breeding
- No record
- Rarity
- Rare
- Origin
- Rio Papagaio, upper Juruena basin, Mato Grosso, Brazil
- Family
- Characidae
Overview
A school of six or more holds midwater over open sand, so give the tank a clear swimming lane. It feeds on flake, granules, and small frozen foods. Pair it with corys and other clearwater Brazilians rather than blackwater dwellers for a habitat-honest setup.
In the wild
The parrot tetra swims in the rio Papagaio, a clearwater tributary in the upper Juruena system of Mato Grosso. It likes clean flowing water over sand and rock, 22 to 27 degrees Celsius, and pH 5.0 to 7.0.
Good to know
Hyphessobrycon psittacus was described in 2016 from the rio Papagaio and reaches about 4 centimeters. Its field marks are a narrow, sharply defined dark stripe from eye to tail and no shoulder blotch at all, an unusually clean pattern for the genus.
Did you know
The name is a translation chain: the fish is named psittacus, Latin for parrot, because it lives in the rio Papagaio, which is Portuguese for parrot river.
Tank mates
Parrot tetra is a peaceful, schooling species that keeps to the middle. These picks match on water type, temperature, pH, size and temperament.
Red-tail dwarf cichlid
Apistogramma erythruraFreshwater2.2 in (5.5 cm)16 gal (60 L)73–81°F (23–27°C)
Golden dwarf cichlid
Nannacara anomalaFreshwater3.1 in (8 cm)16 gal (60 L)72–82°F (22–28°C)
Elegant cory
Gastrodermus elegansFreshwater2.1 in (5.4 cm)16 gal (60 L)68–79°F (20–26°C)Cuming's barb
Pethia cumingiiFreshwater2 in (5 cm)16 gal (60 L)72–81°F (22–27°C)
Fire-tail dwarf cichlid
Apistogramma eremnopygeFreshwater1.8 in (4.5 cm)16 gal (60 L)73–81°F (23–27°C)
False network catfish
Brochis sodalisFreshwater2.2 in (5.5 cm)16 gal (60 L)72–79°F (22–26°C)
Common questions
What size tank does a Parrot tetra need?
A Parrot tetra needs at least 16 gal (60 L). It spends most of its time in the middle.
What temperature and pH do Parrot tetra need?
Parrot tetra are comfortable at 72–81°F (22–27°C) with a pH of 5.0–7.0.
How big do Parrot tetra get?
An adult Parrot tetra reaches about 1.6 in (4 cm).
Do Parrot tetra need a group?
Yes. Parrot 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
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Related species
Epicharis tetra
Hyphessobrycon epicharisFreshwater1.6 in (4 cm)16 gal (60 L)73–82°F (23–28°C)
Madre de Dios tetra
Hyphessobrycon nigricinctusFreshwater1.6 in (4 cm)15 gal (55 L)72–81°F (22–27°C)
Peruvian tetra
Hyphessobrycon peruvianusFreshwater1.6 in (4 cm)16 gal (60 L)72–81°F (22–27°C)
Red phantom tetra
Hyphessobrycon sweglesiFreshwater1.6 in (4 cm)15 gal (55 L)72–82°F (22–28°C)
Rosy tetra
Hyphessobrycon rosaceusFreshwater1.6 in (4 cm)15 gal (55 L)75–82°F (24–28°C)Vinaceus tetra
Hyphessobrycon vinaceusFreshwater1.6 in (4 cm)14 gal (54 L)72–81°F (22–27°C)