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Vinaceus tetra

Hyphessobrycon vinaceus

Also known as Wine-red tetra, Vinaceus rosy tetra

FreshwaterFish

Vinaceus tetra (Hyphessobrycon vinaceus)

Care at a glance

Temperature
72–81°F
22–27°C
pH
5.5–7.0
Adult size
1.6 in
4 cm
Minimum tank
14 gal
54 L
Temperament
Peaceful
Social behavior
Schooling
Swim level
Middle
Difficulty
Medium
Breeding
Egg scatterer · Medium
Rarity
Rare
Family
Characidae
Origin
Rio de Contas basin, Bahia, Brazil

Overview

The Vinaceus tetra is a wine-red schooling fish for a soft-water planted tank. It is peaceful and best kept by someone with a little experience.

Did you know

Unlike most aquarium tetras, the Vinaceus tetra is not an Amazon fish at all. It comes from one of several isolated Atlantic drainages that have grown their own distinct tetras.

Caring for the Vinaceus tetra

Keep Vinaceus tetras in a group of at least eight, in a tank of 14 gal (54 L) or more. In a group they feel secure, and the males show their fullest color as they display. A sandy floor, driftwood, some shade and planted edges with open central space suit them.

Give them soft, gently acidic water at 72 to 81°F (22 to 27°C) and a pH of 5.5 to 7.0. Provide a gentle current and good oxygen. Feed varied small foods, such as quality flake and micro pellets plus frozen bloodworm, daphnia and brine shrimp.

Vinaceus tetras are peaceful and swim in the middle of the tank. They are a good match for a calm community of similarly sized soft-water fish.

They are egg scatterers, and breeding them is moderately difficult. In a separate tank over fine-leaved plants or a spawning mesh, they drop eggs that the parents will eat. Breeders remove the adults after spawning.

Good to know

The Vinaceus tetra is a characin of the family Characidae and a small member of the rosy tetra group. Its name, vinaceus, is Latin for wine and describes the deep claret red the body takes on. That color is unusual in the group.

In the wild

Hyphessobrycon vinaceus comes from a clear, fast coastal stream in the Rio de Contas basin of eastern Bahia, Brazil. It was collected in rapid stretches just below a small waterfall, over a sandy bottom.

Weekly picks

Tank mates

The Vinaceus 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.

Check the full mix in the stocking calculator

Common questions

What size tank does a Vinaceus tetra need?

A Vinaceus tetra needs at least 14 gal (54 L). It spends most of its time in the middle.

What temperature and pH does a Vinaceus tetra need?

A Vinaceus tetra is comfortable at 72–81°F (22–27°C) with a pH of 5.5–7.0.

What does a Vinaceus tetra eat?

A Vinaceus tetra eats varied small foods, such as quality flake and micro pellets. Add frozen bloodworm, daphnia and brine shrimp.

How big does a Vinaceus tetra get?

An adult Vinaceus tetra reaches about 1.6 in (4 cm).

Does a Vinaceus tetra need a group?

Yes. A Vinaceus tetra is a schooling species and should be kept in a group, not singly.

How does a Vinaceus tetra breed?

Vinaceus tetras scatter their eggs over fine-leaved plants or a spawning mesh in a separate tank. The parents will eat the eggs, so breeders take the adults out after spawning.

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