Simulatus tetra
Hyphessobrycon simulatus
Also known as Imitator tetra, Tri-Color 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
- Coastal rivers of French Guiana
- Family
- Characidae
Overview
Keep six or more in a softwater community; it mixes well with other small Guianan fish and standard peaceful tetras. It eats crushed flake, granules, and small frozen foods. Nothing about its care is difficult once the water is soft and stable.
In the wild
This tetra comes from the coastal rivers of French Guiana, from the Maroni across to the Oyapock, in soft acidic creeks under forest. Keep it at 22 to 27 degrees Celsius, pH 5.5 to 7.0, with tannins, shade, and gentle current.
Good to know
Hyphessobrycon simulatus reaches about 3.6 centimeters; the name means imitator, for its close resemblance to related tetras it overlaps with. The Guiana Shield rivers it inhabits run independent of the Amazon, each a separate corridor to the Atlantic.
Did you know
It earned the name imitator by looking so much like its relatives that scientists needed fin-ray counts to be sure it was new, camouflage aimed at taxonomists rather than predators.
Tank mates
Simulatus tetra is a peaceful, schooling species that keeps to the middle. These picks match on water type, temperature, pH, size and temperament.
Masked cory
Hoplisoma metaeFreshwater2 in (5 cm)15 gal (55 L)70–79°F (21–26°C)Martin's dwarf cichlid
Apistogramma martiniFreshwater1.6 in (4 cm)15 gal (55 L)73–81°F (23–27°C)
Blackstripe cory
Hoplisoma bondiFreshwater2 in (5 cm)15 gal (55 L)70–79°F (21–26°C)
Hockeystick pencilfish
Nannostomus equesFreshwater1.4 in (3.5 cm)15 gal (55 L)72–82°F (22–28°C)
Volcano cory
Osteogaster hephaestusFreshwater1.6 in (4 cm)15 gal (55 L)75–82°F (24–28°C)
Melanzona Guppy
Poecilia paraeFreshwaterBrackish2 in (5 cm)15 gal (55 L)75–82°F (24–28°C)
Common questions
What size tank does a Simulatus tetra need?
A Simulatus tetra needs at least 15 gal (55 L). It spends most of its time in the middle.
What temperature and pH do Simulatus tetra need?
Simulatus tetra are comfortable at 72–81°F (22–27°C) with a pH of 5.5–7.0.
How big do Simulatus tetra get?
An adult Simulatus tetra reaches about 1.4 in (3.6 cm).
Do Simulatus tetra need a group?
Yes. Simulatus 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
Keeping Simulatus tetra?
Track water tests, reminders and stocking fit.
Planning tankmates
See how Simulatus tetra fits a stocking plan. Open the stocking calculator
Add to your site
Show this species on your own site: a shortcode for WordPress, or an HTML embed for anywhere else.
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)
Pinnistriatus tetra
Hyphessobrycon pinnistriatusFreshwater1.4 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)