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Red devil tetra

Hyphessobrycon piranga

Also known as Piranga tetra

FreshwaterFish

Care at a glance

Temperature
73–82°F (23–28°C)
pH
5.0–7.0
Adult size
1 in (2.5 cm)
Minimum tank
10 gal (38 L)
Temperament
Peaceful
Social behavior
Schooling
Swim level
Middle
Difficulty
Medium
Breeding
Medium
Rarity
Rare
Origin
Mato Grosso, Brazil
Family
Characidae

Overview

Keep ten or more to get the full two-tone effect of red males courting yellow females. Foods must be tiny: crushed flake, micro granules, brine shrimp nauplii. Despite the devilish trade name it is completely peaceful, suited to nano communities and breeding projects alike.

In the wild

The red devil tetra is a miniature from soft, shallow waters in Mato Grosso. Keep it in a nano or small planted tank with tannins, gentle flow, temperatures of 23 to 28 degrees Celsius, and pH 5.0 to 7.0.

Good to know

Hyphessobrycon piranga was described in 2018; piranga means red in Tupi. It is a strongly dimorphic miniature, mature at about 2 centimeters standard length: males color deep red while females stay yellow-gold, so a school looks like two species swimming together.

Did you know

Males are red and females are yellow, so shops occasionally sell the two sexes as different fish; the devil in the name is strictly marketing.

Tank mates

Red devil 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 Red devil tetra need?

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

What temperature and pH do Red devil tetra need?

Red devil tetra are comfortable at 73–82°F (23–28°C) with a pH of 5.0–7.0.

How big do Red devil tetra get?

An adult Red devil tetra reaches about 1 in (2.5 cm).

Do Red devil tetra need a group?

Yes. Red devil 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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