Piabinhas tetra
Hyphessobrycon piabinhas
Also known as Fortaleza tetra, Red Fin Tetra
FreshwaterFish
Care at a glance
- Temperature
- 73–82°F
- 23–28°C
- pH
- 6.0–7.5
- Adult size
- 1.5 in
- 3.8 cm
- Minimum tank
- 15 gal
- 55 L
- Temperament
- Peaceful
- Social behavior
- Schooling
- Swim level
- Middle
- Difficulty
- Medium
- Breeding
- No record
- Rarity
- Rare
- Family
- Characidae
- Origin
- Coastal drainages near Fortaleza, Ceara, Brazil
Overview
The Piabinhas tetra is a small, peaceful schooling fish for a warm community tank. It is moderately demanding to keep.
Did you know
Piabinha is what kids along Brazilian rivers call any little silver fish they catch. The Piabinhas tetra turned that nickname into its formal scientific name.
Caring for the Piabinhas tetra
Keep Piabinhas tetras in a group of six or more, in 15 gal (55 L) or larger, with plant cover. They like it warm, at 73 to 82°F (23 to 28°C), in near-neutral water with a pH of 6.0 to 7.5. Their coastal origins mean they handle ordinary tap-water hardness better than blackwater species, a practical plus for an otherwise obscure fish.
Piabinhas tetras are not fussy about food and take flake, granules and frozen basics. They are peaceful and safe with other community fish.
Good to know
The Piabinhas tetra, Hyphessobrycon piabinhas, is a member of the family Characidae, described by Fowler in 1941.
In the wild
The Piabinhas tetra comes from coastal lowland waters around Fortaleza in Ceara, a hot corner of northeastern Brazil far from the Amazon.
Weekly picks
Tank mates
The Piabinhas tetra is a peaceful, schooling species that keeps to the middle. These picks share a community profile with it, are safe together in both directions, and overlap on water type, temperature and pH.
Green lace shrimp
Atyoida pilipes
Freshwater2.8 in (7 cm) · 14 gal (54 L)73–82°F (23–28°C)
Apiaka cory
Hoplisoma apiaka
Freshwater1.8 in (4.5 cm) · 15 gal (55 L)75–82°F (24–28°C)
Scherer's hatchetfish
Carnegiella schereri
Freshwater1 in (2.6 cm) · 14 gal (54 L)73–82°F (23–28°C)
Variable platy
Xiphophorus variatus
Freshwater2.8 in (7 cm) · 15 gal (55 L)68–79°F (20–26°C)
Martin's dwarf cichlid
Apistogramma martini
Freshwater1.6 in (4 cm) · 15 gal (55 L)73–81°F (23–27°C)
Clown killifish
Epiplatys annulatus
Freshwater1.4 in (3.5 cm) · 15 gal (55 L)68–79°F (20–26°C)
Common questions
What size tank does a Piabinhas tetra need?
A Piabinhas tetra needs at least 15 gal (55 L). It spends most of its time in the middle.
What temperature and pH does a Piabinhas tetra need?
A Piabinhas tetra is comfortable at 73–82°F (23–28°C) with a pH of 6.0–7.5.
What does a Piabinhas tetra eat?
A Piabinhas tetra is not fussy about food. It takes flake, granules and frozen basics.
How big does a Piabinhas tetra get?
An adult Piabinhas tetra reaches about 1.5 in (3.8 cm).
Does a Piabinhas tetra need a group?
Yes. A Piabinhas tetra is a schooling species and should be kept in a group, not singly.
Related species
1.5 in (3.8 cm)15 gal (55 L)72–81°F (22–27°C)Eschwartzae tetra
Hyphessobrycon eschwartzae
1.5 in (3.8 cm) · 15 gal (55 L)
1.5 in (3.8 cm)15 gal (55 L)72–81°F (22–27°C)Peugeot's tetra
Hyphessobrycon peugeoti
1.5 in (3.8 cm) · 15 gal (55 L)
1.5 in (3.8 cm)15 gal (55 L)72–81°F (22–27°C)Procyon tetra
Hyphessobrycon procyon
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1.5 in (3.7 cm)15 gal (55 L)72–81°F (22–27°C)Clavatus tetra
Hyphessobrycon clavatus
1.5 in (3.7 cm) · 15 gal (55 L)
1.5 in (3.7 cm)15 gal (55 L)72–82°F (22–28°C)Moniliger tetra
Hyphessobrycon moniliger
1.5 in (3.7 cm) · 15 gal (55 L)
1.5 in (3.7 cm)15 gal (55 L)73–82°F (23–28°C)Montag's tetra
Hyphessobrycon montagi
1.5 in (3.7 cm) · 15 gal (55 L)