Rosy Tetra 3.5cm

Rosy Tetra

The Rosy Tetra is a beautifully coloured, small, peaceful schooling fish that comes from the river systems of Guyana and Suriname. Due to their striking appearance, hardy nature, and ease of care, Rosy Tetras are popular choices amongst both beginner and advanced freshwater aquarists. They are ideally suited to community tanks and bring a dash of vibrancy and activity.

The adult Rosy Tetra only reaches around 4-5 cm in length and can be recognised by its rosy-pink body colour, which becomes increasingly vivid towards the tail. The belly is a slightly lighter pink and can even show hints of silver which looks stunning. The fins are also a true stand-out feature of these fish, they all carry bright red streaks which are tipped with white, the dorsal fin is contrasted with a dash of black which really highlights the other colours. Its eyes are another distinguishable feature, outlined by an elegant gold ring. Rosy tetras can often be confused with similar species like white-fin ornate tetras, candy cane tetras and even larger bleeding-heart tetras. As juveniles, all these fish look quite similar so the best way to identify them is to look at the scientific name. 

Rosy Tetras are egg scatterers and relatively easy to breed. After a courtship dance, the female scatters her eggs among fine-leaved plants, which are then fertilised by the male. There is no parental care provided, and removing the adults after spawning is advised to prevent egg predation. The male boasts a more slender and intensely coloured body compared to the female and also has a distinctive, hook-shaped anal fin. The best method of success in breeding would be to put a single male with a pair of females into a 40-litre aquarium with a spawning mop or java moss. After spawning the parents can be taken out and the fry can be raised. 

Tank Recommendations for your Rosy Tetra

Rosy Tetras are best housed in a densely planted 75 litre or larger tank and plenty of swimming space. Since these are mid-water fish they really are not fussed with the hardscape or substrate choices in an aquarium. A blackwater, hardscape only, or even planted aquarium will be fine however they would stand out best in the latter option. They prefer soft, slightly acidic water with temperatures between 23 and 28°C and a pH of 5.5 and 7.0. Providing a darker background and substrate can help intensify their colours as well. 

Suitable Tank Buddies

Rosy Tetras are peaceful and fare well with a variety of small, non-aggressive tankmates.

Usually Compatible

Other small tetras, rasboras, dwarf cichlids, peaceful barbs, Corydoras, and small peaceful loaches.

Sometimes Compatible

Gouramis and Angelfish. While generally peaceful, these species can sometimes show a territorial behaviour.

Rarely Compatible

Aggressive, predatory, or large species that can easily stress, harm, or eat the small Rosy Tetras.

Feeding your Rosy Tetra

Rosy Tetras are omnivores, accepting a variety of foods. A well-balanced diet of high-quality flake food, supplemented with regular offerings of live or frozen foods like brine shrimp, daphnia, and bloodworms, will keep them healthy.