Weitzman's tetra
Hyphessobrycon weitzmanorum
Also known as Weitzmanorum tetra, Molten Lead Tetra
FreshwaterFish
Care at a glance
- Temperature
- 72–81°F
- 22–27°C
- pH
- 5.5–7.2
- Adult size
- 1.2 in
- 3 cm
- Minimum tank
- 12 gal
- 45 L
- Temperament
- Peaceful
- Social behavior
- Schooling
- Swim level
- Middle
- Difficulty
- Medium
- Breeding
- No record
- Rarity
- Rare
- Family
- Characidae
- Origin
- Upper Araguaia basin, Mato Grosso, Brazil
Overview
Weitzman's tetra is a tiny, tight-schooling fish for a calm nano tank. It makes a good next step after the easiest beginner fish.
Did you know
Weitzman's tetra has a name ending in orum rather than the usual i, because it honors a couple. Stanley and Marilyn Weitzman spent decades studying exactly these small South American fishes.
Caring for the Weitzman's tetra
Keep Weitzman's tetras in a group of six or more, in a modest planted tank of 12 gal (45 L) or larger. Gentle flow suits them.
Keep the temperature at 72 to 81°F (22 to 27°C) and the pH at 5.5 to 7.2. Feed crushed flake, micro pellets and baby brine shrimp.
Weitzman's tetras are quiet and peaceful, and they school tightly in the middle of the tank. Keep them with other miniatures, since boisterous fish bully them easily. In calm company they repay you with constant, gentle activity.
Good to know
Weitzman's tetra is a characin of the family Characidae, described by Lima and Moreira in 2003. Its type specimen measured about 22 millimeters in standard length.
In the wild
Weitzman's tetra lives in small creeks in the upper Araguaia of Mato Grosso, Brazil. These are shallow, soft waters in cerrado headwater country.
Weekly picks
Tank mates
The Weitzman's 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.
Borneo gold spot halfbeak
Hemirhamphodon tengah
Freshwater1.8 in (4.5 cm) · 11 gal (40 L)73–81°F (23–27°C)
Bamboo shrimp
Atyopsis moluccensis
Freshwater3.9 in (10 cm) · 13 gal (50 L)72–84°F (22–29°C)
Wandering snail
Ampullaceana balthica
Freshwater0.8 in (2 cm) · 11 gal (40 L)50–84°F (10–29°C)
Bumblebee otocinclus
Rhinotocinclus isabelae
Freshwater0.8 in (2 cm) · 11 gal (40 L)73–82°F (23–28°C)
Threestripe croaking gourami
Trichopsis schalleri
Freshwater2 in (5 cm) · 12 gal (45 L)72–82°F (22–28°C)
Red neon blue-eye
Pseudomugil luminatus
Freshwater1.4 in (3.5 cm) · 11 gal (40 L)72–81°F (22–27°C)
Common questions
What size tank does a Weitzman's tetra need?
A Weitzman's tetra needs at least 12 gal (45 L). It spends most of its time in the middle.
What temperature and pH does a Weitzman's tetra need?
A Weitzman's tetra is comfortable at 72–81°F (22–27°C) with a pH of 5.5–7.2.
What does a Weitzman's tetra eat?
A Weitzman's tetra eats crushed flake, micro pellets and baby brine shrimp.
How big does a Weitzman's tetra get?
An adult Weitzman's tetra reaches about 1.2 in (3 cm).
Does a Weitzman's tetra need a group?
Yes. A Weitzman's tetra is a schooling species and should be kept in a group, not singly.
Related species
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