Pinnistriatus tetra
Hyphessobrycon pinnistriatus
Also known as Striped-fin tetra
Care at a glance
- Temperature
- 72–81°F (22–27°C)
- pH
- 5.5–7.0
- Adult size
- 1.4 in (3.6 cm)
- Minimum tank
- 15 gal (55 L)
- Temperament
- Peaceful
- Social behavior
- Schooling
- Swim level
- Middle
- Difficulty
- Medium
- Breeding
- No record
- Rarity
- Rare
- Origin
- Upper Tapajos headwaters, Mato Grosso, Brazil
- Family
- Characidae
Overview
Keep a school of six or more with peaceful current-loving company. It feeds on crushed flake, granules, and small frozen foods. Plateau headwater tetras appreciate cooler, cleaner conditions than lowland species, so resist the urge to run this one hot.
In the wild
This tetra inhabits clear headwater streams of the upper Tapajos in Mato Grosso, cool-leaning water with steady current. A tank with flow, high oxygen, dark substrate, 22 to 27 degrees Celsius, and pH 5.5 to 7.0 matches its plateau home.
Good to know
Hyphessobrycon pinnistriatus reaches about 3.6 centimeters; its name means striped fin, after the dark streaking through its fins that sets it apart from plain-finned relatives in the same headwaters.
Did you know
Where most striped tetras wear their pattern on the body, this one signed its fins instead, and the fin stripes are exactly what the scientific name records.
Tank mates
Pinnistriatus tetra is a peaceful, schooling species that keeps to the middle. These picks match on water type, temperature, pH, size and temperament.
Southern platy
Xiphophorus maculatusFreshwater2.8 in (7 cm)15 gal (55 L)68–79°F (20–26°C)
Royal tetra
Inpaichthys kerriFreshwater1.4 in (3.5 cm)15 gal (55 L)75–81°F (24–27°C)
Barred pencilfish
Nannostomus espeiFreshwater1.2 in (3 cm)15 gal (55 L)72–82°F (22–28°C)
Blackstripe cory
Hoplisoma bondiFreshwater2 in (5 cm)15 gal (55 L)70–79°F (21–26°C)
Melanzona Guppy
Poecilia paraeFreshwaterBrackish2 in (5 cm)15 gal (55 L)75–82°F (24–28°C)
Salt and pepper cory
Hoplisoma habrosumFreshwater1.4 in (3.5 cm)15 gal (55 L)68–79°F (20–26°C)
Common questions
What size tank does a Pinnistriatus tetra need?
A Pinnistriatus tetra needs at least 15 gal (55 L). It spends most of its time in the middle.
What temperature and pH do Pinnistriatus tetra need?
Pinnistriatus tetra are comfortable at 72–81°F (22–27°C) with a pH of 5.5–7.0.
How big do Pinnistriatus tetra get?
An adult Pinnistriatus tetra reaches about 1.4 in (3.6 cm).
Do Pinnistriatus tetra need a group?
Yes. Pinnistriatus 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
Amapa tetra
Hyphessobrycon amapaensisFreshwater1.4 in (3.6 cm)15 gal (55 L)73–82°F (23–28°C)
Black phantom tetra
Hyphessobrycon megalopterusFreshwater1.4 in (3.6 cm)17 gal (65 L)70–82°F (21–28°C)
Coffee bean tetra
Hyphessobrycon takaseiFreshwater1.4 in (3.6 cm)15 gal (55 L)73–82°F (23–28°C)Simulatus tetra
Hyphessobrycon simulatusFreshwater1.4 in (3.6 cm)15 gal (55 L)72–81°F (22–27°C)
Clavatus tetra
Hyphessobrycon clavatusFreshwater1.5 in (3.7 cm)15 gal (55 L)72–81°F (22–27°C)
Montag's tetra
Hyphessobrycon montagiFreshwater1.5 in (3.7 cm)15 gal (55 L)73–82°F (23–28°C)