Family: Characidae
lemon tetra — a Characidae from South AmericaSouth America, gentle, slightly skittish when kept too few. Reaches 2.8–4.2 cm; schools tightly; never keep below 6. 23–28 °C.
A Characidae species native to South America: Hyphessobrycon pulchripinnis lives bottom-dwelling over blackwater streams and flooded forest. Gentle, slightly skittish when kept too few. Adults reach 2.8–4.2 cm. It is one of the aquarium-kept Hyphessobrycon species we profile, alongside Hyphessobrycon amandae, Hyphessobrycon herbertaxelrodi, Hyphessobrycon eques.
A moderate-level species: gentle, slightly skittish when kept too few; stable water matters more than fancy equipment.
Hold 23–28 °C and keep it stable — 23–28 °C recorded range. Heater for stable tropical warmth.
Full size is 2.8–4.2 cm. Minimum tank: 25 L, with open swimming space along its bottom-dwelling habits.
Mid-water omnivore; colour foods keep the red honest. Vary the menu — quality flakes or pellets plus frozen or live foods.
Gentle, slightly skittish when kept too few; schools tightly; never keep below 6. Good company: Other small peaceful tetras and rasboras — Form a mixed, calm mid-water mass. Keep away from Single-species isolation — A lone tetra is a stressed tetra.
Comes from South America: blackwater streams and flooded forest. Expect still to gentle current and moderate.
Not a noted jumper — a standard cover still keeps dust and spray in.
In the aquarium: egg-scatterer over fine plants; no parental care. Subtle; females fuller-bodied.