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Rosy tetra

Rosy Finned Tetra ~ Rosey Tetra Family: Characidae

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Hyphessobrycon rosaceus Photo © Animal-World: Courtesy Brad Bales

   The beautiful Rosy Tetra is a cheerful active little fish, making it a fun addition to a peaceful community aquarium with other smaller fishes!

   The Rosy Tetra, also known as the Rosy Finned Tetra or the Rosey Tetra, has the deep bodied shape of the larger tetras like the Bleeding Heart Tetra. It is relatively hardy, easy to care for, and will get along well with other small peaceful tank mates. A happy fish, it has earned its place in the community aquarium and will reward the hobbyist with hours of entertainment.

   This little fish is a loose schooling fish and should be kept in a small group. A minimum sized group of 6 tetras is recommended. This group can consist of either its own kind or some of its close relatives such as the Ornate Tetra and the Bleeding Heart Tetra.

   The Rosy Tetras will not show their beautiful colors unless they are fully content. So be careful that they are not kept with fish that bully them and be sure to provide them with a pleasant environment. They will enjoy an aquarium planted heavily around the edges for shelter, but leaving plenty of room for swimming. Although they prefer softer and acidic water, many tank bred specimens have spent their lives otherwise and will adapt.

For more Information on keeping this fish see:
Guide to a Happy, Healthy Freshwater Aquarium

Distribution:
   The Rosy Tetra, also known as the Rosy Finned Tetra or the Rosey Tetra, was described by Durbin in 1909. They are found in South America, particularly in the Rio Guopore region of Paraguay and in the lower Amazon River Basin of Guyana and Suriname.

Status:
   The species is not listed on the IUCN Red List.

Description:
    The Rosy Tetra is a deeper bodied fish with a body shape typical of some of the larger tetras such as the Bleeding Heart Tetra. Its coloration and appearance is very similar to its close relative, the OrnateTetra, with the differences being quite subtle. Both of these fish have a pink to deep salmon body color, though the Ornate Tetra will often appear more transparent. Both species also have darker red markings on their fins. The Ornate Tetra will have a faint grayish 'shoulder patch' which is absent on the Rosy Tetra.
   These two tetras can show subtle differences in their fin coloration. The Ornate Tetra will have white markings on their dorsal and pelvic fin extensions, thus the term 'white 'tip'. The Rosy Tetra will have a black marking or 'flag' on its dorsal fin extension, and will sometimes (but not always) have white tips to the fins. But to all rules there are exceptions, and even an occasional Ornate Tetra will have the black 'flag' type marking on its dorsal fin as well.

Size - Weight:
   This fish will generally reach about 1 1/2 inches (4 cm).

Care and feeding:
   Since they are omnivorous the Rosy Tetra should be given a nicely varied diet. They have fairly high vitamin requirements, so quality flake foods should make up about 60-80% of their diet. They love to chase after live foods and may occasionally nibble on plants or algae.
   These fish are fairly hardy and a school of six will do best in about a 20 gallon aquarium. The aquarium should be heavily planted around the sides and back and have plenty of open water for swimming in the front. A few hiding places would be appreciated. Woodwork and floating plants will make them feel comfortable.

Water Region: Top, Middle, Bottom:
   The Rosy Tetra will inhabit all areas of the aquarium, but usually will spend a good deal of their time in the upper or middle or regions.

Acceptable Water Conditions:
   Temp: 75 - 82° F (24 - 28° C)
   Hardness: 5 -19° dH
   Ph: 6.0 - 7.5

Social Behaviors:
   In a well thought out aquarium the Rosy Tetra will be peaceful, active, and colorful. Be sure to keep them in a group of tetras, six is generally accepted as the minimum number to be housed together. This fish will happily school with its relatives (Rosy Tetra, Black Widow Tetra, White Skirt Tetra, Bleeding Heart Tetra, etc).
   Rowdy neighbors will bring out the worst in them, so keep with peaceful and non-fin nipping fish. They will be startled by loud sounds or excessive movement outside the tank, so keep in an appropriately placed tank.

Sexual Differences:
   The males will have longer fins, are more slender and more brightly colored than the females.

Breeding/Reproduction:
   Breeding the Rosy Tetra is a tricky, but a healthy pair will usually breed readily when brought together in fairly soft water and a slightly elevated temperature, 80 ° F (26° C). The pair should be isolated, ideally in a separate tank. The pair will distribute eggs on fine leaved plans. The parents should be removed right away. The fry will be free swimming after approximately five days. The tank’s water should be changed frequently and care must be taken that no fry are lost in this process. The fry are fairly slow to reach maturity, and ought to be kept isolated until they are too large to be eaten. See a general description of how to breed these fish in Breeding Freshwater Fish and Fish Food for Fry for more information.

Availability:
   The Rosy Tetra, also known as the Rosy Finned Tetra or the Rosey Tetra, is readily available at fish stores and on the internet. Cost is around $1 - $5 USD  per individual.

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Latest Comments
I kept 4 Rosy tetras in a small ( 12 gallon tank). All the fish I had in there were happy, and they outgrew the tank. I always felt the rosy tetras were boring. Just a blah grayish red with a bit of white on the fin tips. Then I got my new 55 gallon aquarium. It is a planted tank. The day after I moved them, I was amazed at their beauty and color! Their markings totally came out and they are striking with red and black. The part of this article that says they will not show their true color unless they are happy is really true! Happy fish keeping, Tracy Tracy 2007-04-17

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Author: Clarice Brough. CFFS.