Vilma's tetra
Hyphessobrycon vilmae
Also known as Vilma tetra, Chocolate Neon Tetra
Care at a glance
- Temperature
- 72–81°F (22–27°C)
- pH
- 5.0–7.0
- Adult size
- 1.4 in (3.5 cm)
- Minimum tank
- 15 gal (55 L)
- Temperament
- Peaceful
- Social behavior
- Schooling
- Swim level
- Middle
- Difficulty
- Medium
- Breeding
- Hard
- Rarity
- Rare
- Origin
- Upper Tapajos basin, Mato Grosso, Brazil
- Family
- Characidae
Overview
A classic schooling tetra in care terms: six or more, soft water, small dry and frozen foods. It pairs naturally with corys, pencilfish, and dwarf cichlids from the same headwater region and asks nothing unusual of an experienced community keeper.
In the wild
Vilma's tetra comes from the upper Tapajos system in Mato Grosso, in soft, gently flowing forest streams. Keep it at 22 to 27 degrees Celsius, pH 5.0 to 7.0, over dark substrate with plant thickets and open lanes.
Good to know
Hyphessobrycon vilmae was described by Gery in 1966 and reaches about 3.5 centimeters. It wears a strong dark lateral stripe under a golden back line, a crisp two-tone pattern that photographs far better than its obscurity suggests.
Did you know
Jacques Gery, who described this fish in 1966, named tetras for colleagues, collectors, and family across a long career; Vilma's tetra carries one of those personal dedications.
Tank mates
Vilma's tetra is a peaceful, schooling species that keeps to the middle. These picks match on water type, temperature, pH, size and temperament.
Kane's cory
Hoplisoma kaneiFreshwater1.8 in (4.5 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)
Volcano rasbora
Rasbora vulcanusFreshwater1.8 in (4.5 cm)15 gal (55 L)73–79°F (23–26°C)
Coral red pencilfish
Nannostomus mortenthaleriFreshwater1.2 in (3 cm)15 gal (55 L)75–82°F (24–28°C)
Royal tetra
Inpaichthys kerriFreshwater1.4 in (3.5 cm)15 gal (55 L)75–81°F (24–27°C)
Volcano cory
Osteogaster hephaestusFreshwater1.6 in (4 cm)15 gal (55 L)75–82°F (24–28°C)
Common questions
What size tank does a Vilma's tetra need?
A Vilma's tetra needs at least 15 gal (55 L). It spends most of its time in the middle.
What temperature and pH do Vilma's tetra need?
Vilma's tetra are comfortable at 72–81°F (22–27°C) with a pH of 5.0–7.0.
How big do Vilma's tetra get?
An adult Vilma's tetra reaches about 1.4 in (3.5 cm).
Do Vilma's tetra need a group?
Yes. Vilma's 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 Vilma's tetra?
Track water tests, reminders and stocking fit.
Planning tankmates
See how Vilma's tetra fits a stocking plan. Open the stocking calculator
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Related species
Black Neon Tetra
Hyphessobrycon herbertaxelrodiFreshwater1.4 in (3.5 cm)16 gal (60 L)72–82°F (22–28°C)
Colombian gold tetra
Hyphessobrycon saiziFreshwater1.4 in (3.5 cm)14 gal (54 L)73–82°F (23–28°C)
Flag Tetra
Hyphessobrycon heterorhabdusFreshwater1.4 in (3.5 cm)16 gal (60 L)70–81°F (21–27°C)
Loreto tetra
Hyphessobrycon loretoensisFreshwater1.4 in (3.5 cm)16 gal (60 L)72–81°F (22–27°C)
Notidanos tetra
Hyphessobrycon notidanosFreshwater1.4 in (3.5 cm)15 gal (55 L)72–81°F (22–27°C)Krenakore tetra
Hyphessobrycon krenakoreFreshwater1.4 in (3.5 cm)15 gal (55 L)72–81°F (22–27°C)