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Veiltail tetra

Hyphessobrycon elachys

Also known as Reed tetra

FreshwaterFish
Veiltail tetra (Hyphessobrycon elachys)
The Wet Spot Tropical Fish · Used with permission

Care at a glance

Temperature
68–79°F (20–26°C)
pH
6.0–7.2
Adult size
0.9 in (2.4 cm)
Minimum tank
10 gal (38 L)
Temperament
Peaceful
Social behavior
Schooling
Swim level
Middle
Difficulty
Medium
Breeding
Medium
Rarity
Rare
Origin
Paraguay River basin
Family
Characidae

Overview

Keep a dozen if you can; males display constantly in a good-sized group and the finnage show is the whole point. It needs small foods: crushed flake, micro granules, brine shrimp nauplii. House it with equally tiny, calm fish or on its own in a heavily planted nano.

In the wild

The veiltail tetra lives among dense vegetation in quiet backwaters of the Paraguay basin, often in reedy shallows. It prefers slightly cooler water than Amazon tetras, 20 to 26 degrees Celsius, at pH 6.0 to 7.2, with plants thick enough to weave through.

Good to know

Hyphessobrycon elachys tops out around 2.4 centimeters; the species name comes from the Greek for small. Mature males grow extended dorsal and anal fins that trail like pennants, which is where the veiltail name comes from, while females stay short-finned.

Did you know

A male in display mode carries fins nearly as tall as his body is deep, a lot of sail for a fish shorter than a paperclip.

Tank mates

Veiltail 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 Veiltail tetra need?

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

What temperature and pH do Veiltail tetra need?

Veiltail tetra are comfortable at 68–79°F (20–26°C) with a pH of 6.0–7.2.

How big do Veiltail tetra get?

An adult Veiltail tetra reaches about 0.9 in (2.4 cm).

Do Veiltail tetra need a group?

Yes. Veiltail 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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