Procyon tetra
Hyphessobrycon procyon
Also known as Procyon dwarf tetra, Raccoon Tetra
Care at a glance
- Temperature
- 72–81°F (22–27°C)
- pH
- 5.5–7.0
- 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
- Common
- Origin
- Brazil
- Family
- Characidae
Overview
Keep six or more with small peaceful tankmates. It takes crushed flake, granules, and frozen daphnia or brine shrimp. As with most freshly described tetras, captive observations are still being written by the first keepers to hold it, so notes are worth keeping.
In the wild
A recently described Brazilian tetra from soft interior waters. Keep it the way the rare-tetra playbook says: dark substrate, wood and leaves, gentle filtration, 22 to 27 degrees Celsius, and pH 5.5 to 7.0.
Good to know
Hyphessobrycon procyon reaches about 3.8 centimeters and is a recent addition to the genus, still thinly documented beyond its description. It shows a prominent dark caudal-peduncle mark that reads like a taillight at the base of the tail.
Did you know
Procyon is also the name of one of the brightest stars in the night sky, fitting for a fish whose tail-base blotch flashes like a beacon when the school turns.
Tank mates
Procyon tetra is a peaceful, schooling species that keeps to the middle. These picks match on water type, temperature, pH, size and temperament.
Pygmy gourami
Trichopsis pumilaFreshwater1.6 in (4 cm)15 gal (55 L)72–82°F (22–28°C)
Three-lined pencilfish
Nannostomus trifasciatusFreshwater1.3 in (3.3 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)
Loach catfish
Aspidoras rochaiFreshwater1.7 in (4.4 cm)15 gal (55 L)70–77°F (21–25°C)
Variable platy
Xiphophorus variatusFreshwater2.8 in (7 cm)15 gal (55 L)68–79°F (20–26°C)
Aspidoras Cory-Cat
Aspidoras raimundiFreshwater1.8 in (4.5 cm)15 gal (55 L)68–77°F (20–25°C)
Common questions
What size tank does a Procyon tetra need?
A Procyon tetra needs at least 15 gal (55 L). It spends most of its time in the middle.
What temperature and pH do Procyon tetra need?
Procyon tetra are comfortable at 72–81°F (22–27°C) with a pH of 5.5–7.0.
How big do Procyon tetra get?
An adult Procyon tetra reaches about 1.5 in (3.8 cm).
Do Procyon tetra need a group?
Yes. Procyon 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.
- Aquatic Arts Freshwater fish, shrimp and snails with an arrive-alive guarantee
- 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 Procyon tetra?
Track water tests, reminders and stocking fit.
Planning tankmates
See how Procyon tetra fits a stocking plan. Open the stocking calculator
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Related species
Eschwartzae tetra
Hyphessobrycon eschwartzaeFreshwater1.5 in (3.8 cm)15 gal (55 L)72–81°F (22–27°C)
Peugeot's tetra
Hyphessobrycon peugeotiFreshwater1.5 in (3.8 cm)15 gal (55 L)72–81°F (22–27°C)Piabinhas tetra
Hyphessobrycon piabinhasFreshwater1.5 in (3.8 cm)15 gal (55 L)73–82°F (23–28°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)Moniliger tetra
Hyphessobrycon moniligerFreshwater1.5 in (3.7 cm)15 gal (55 L)72–82°F (22–28°C)