Simulatus tetra
Hyphessobrycon simulatus
Also known as Imitator tetra, Tri-Color Tetra
FreshwaterFish
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
- Family
- Characidae
- Origin
- Coastal rivers of French Guiana
Overview
The Simulatus tetra is a small schooling tetra for a softwater community tank. It is best with a little experience.
Did you know
The Simulatus tetra looks so much like its relatives that scientists needed fin-ray counts to be sure it was new. That is camouflage aimed at taxonomists rather than predators.
Caring for the Simulatus tetra
Keep Simulatus tetras in a group of six or more, in 15 gal (55 L) or larger. Tannins, shade and a gentle current suit them.
Keep the water soft and stable, at 72 to 81°F (22 to 27°C) and a pH of 5.5 to 7.0. Once the water is right, nothing about their care is difficult. Feed crushed flake, granules and small frozen foods.
Simulatus tetras are peaceful and swim in the middle of the tank. They mix well with other small Guianan fish and standard peaceful tetras.
Good to know
Hyphessobrycon simulatus is a small tetra in the family Characidae. Its name means imitator, for its close resemblance to related tetras it overlaps with.
In the wild
The Simulatus tetra comes from the coastal rivers of French Guiana, from the Maroni across to the Oyapock. It lives in soft, acidic creeks under forest. These Guiana Shield rivers run independent of the Amazon, each a separate corridor to the Atlantic.
Weekly picks
Tank mates
The Simulatus 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.
Gold-spotted halfbeak
Hemirhamphodon chrysopunctatus
Freshwater2.6 in (6.5 cm) · 14 gal (54 L)73–81°F (23–27°C)
Java loach
Pangio oblonga
Freshwater3.1 in (8 cm) · 15 gal (55 L)70–79°F (21–26°C)
Melanzona guppy
Poecilia parae
FreshwaterBrackish2 in (5 cm) · 15 gal (55 L)75–82°F (24–28°C)
Fire halfbeak
Hemirhamphodon kapuasensis
Freshwater2.4 in (6 cm) · 14 gal (54 L)73–81°F (23–27°C)
Amazon sail-fin dwarf cichlid
Apistogramma pertensis
Freshwater2 in (5 cm) · 15 gal (55 L)77–84°F (25–29°C)
Royal tetra
Inpaichthys kerri
Freshwater1.4 in (3.5 cm) · 15 gal (55 L)75–81°F (24–27°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 does a Simulatus tetra need?
A Simulatus tetra is comfortable at 72–81°F (22–27°C) with a pH of 5.5–7.0.
What does a Simulatus tetra eat?
A Simulatus tetra eats crushed flake, granules and small frozen foods.
How big does a Simulatus tetra get?
An adult Simulatus tetra reaches about 1.4 in (3.6 cm).
Does a Simulatus tetra need a group?
Yes. A Simulatus tetra is a schooling species and should be kept in a group, not singly.
Related species
1.4 in (3.6 cm)15 gal (55 L)73–82°F (23–28°C)Amapa tetra
Hyphessobrycon amapaensis
1.4 in (3.6 cm) · 15 gal (55 L)
1.4 in (3.6 cm)17 gal (65 L)70–82°F (21–28°C)Black phantom tetra
Hyphessobrycon megalopterus
1.4 in (3.6 cm) · 17 gal (65 L)
1.4 in (3.6 cm)15 gal (55 L)73–82°F (23–28°C)Coffee bean tetra
Hyphessobrycon takasei
1.4 in (3.6 cm) · 15 gal (55 L)
1.4 in (3.6 cm)15 gal (55 L)72–81°F (22–27°C)Pinnistriatus tetra
Hyphessobrycon pinnistriatus
1.4 in (3.6 cm) · 15 gal (55 L)
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)