Garnet Tetra | Hemigrammus pulcher

Characins / Characinae / Garnet Tetra

Profile: Pretty Tetra, Garnet Tetra, Black-wedge Tetra
Hemigrammus pulcher
SYN: None
PD: a disc-shaped fish with an arched back and a deep body. The dorsal fin is large and tall. The body ranges in color, depending on the light, from violet to copper. The belly is lighter in color, sometimes yellow. Just behind the gill cover, there is a shiny copper marking. The upper part of the iris is red and the mouth is turned upwards. The fins are transparent. Near the base of the tail is a copper colored line that extends midway across the body. Below this is a thick black band.
SIZE: To 2.5" (6.4 cm)
SS: None
HAB: South America; shaded creeks, brooks, and river bends in Peruvian Amazon near Iquitos.
S: middle
TANK: 16" (40 cm) or 5 gallons (19 L). The tank requirements are the same as H. ocellifer .
WATER: pH 5-7 (6.6), 4-15 dH (8), 72-82°F (22-28°C)
SB: A peaceful schooling fish recommended for a community tank. Occasionally males may hassle gravid females in bare tank with no hiding places.
SC: See H. ocellifer.
FOOD: Flake; live; insect larvae, Brine Shrimp, Tubifex, small aquatic insects.
SEX: The male is smaller, slenderer, and has a pointed swim bladder.
B: This fish can be difficult to breed in that pairs do not always spawn together. The male should be replaced if this happens. Once a pair is established they can be very prolific. These fish tend to spawn in slightly warmer, soft, acidic water. Spawning takes place among plants, and eggs are dropped. Remove the parents. The eggs hatch in 20-25 hours and the fry are free-swimming after 2-3 days. Start feeding with small live foods.
BP: 8. The Pretty Tetra is a difficult fish to breed.
R: This species is not common in the hobby as other Hemigrammus species. There are two sub-species.
DC: 2. The Pretty Tetra is a hardy fish, excellent for the beginning aquariast.