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Parvellus tetra

Hyphessobrycon parvellus

Also known as Bahia dwarf tetra

FreshwaterFish

Care at a glance

Temperature
72–82°F (22–28°C)
pH
6.0–7.5
Adult size
1 in (2.6 cm)
Minimum tank
10 gal (38 L)
Temperament
Peaceful
Social behavior
Schooling
Swim level
Middle
Difficulty
Medium
Breeding
No record
Rarity
Rare
Origin
Catu and Itapicuru rivers, Bahia, Brazil
Family
Characidae

Overview

Keep eight or more of this miniature with tankmates chosen for gentleness and small mouths. Crushed flake, micro granules, and baby brine shrimp cover feeding. It behaves like a smaller, quieter cousin of the common shop tetras, best appreciated in numbers.

In the wild

The parvellus tetra comes from the Catu and Itapicuru rivers in northeastern Bahia, coastal drainages independent of the Amazon. It suits a nano or small community at 22 to 28 degrees Celsius and pH 6.0 to 7.5 with plants and quiet flow.

Good to know

Hyphessobrycon parvellus is an early member of the genus, described in 1908, and its name means very small; adults run about 2.6 centimeters. Northeastern coastal tetras like this one sit far from the hobby's usual collection routes, which keeps it scarce.

Did you know

It was named very small in 1908, back when the genus was young; more than a century later, dozens of even smaller relatives have joined it without taking the name.

Tank mates

Parvellus 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 Parvellus tetra need?

A Parvellus tetra needs at least 10 gal (38 L). It spends most of its time in the middle.

What temperature and pH do Parvellus tetra need?

Parvellus tetra are comfortable at 72–82°F (22–28°C) with a pH of 6.0–7.5.

How big do Parvellus tetra get?

An adult Parvellus tetra reaches about 1 in (2.6 cm).

Do Parvellus tetra need a group?

Yes. Parvellus 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 · Nano fish · Schooling fish · Community fish

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