Ornate Tetra
Hyphessobrycon bentosi
Also known as Bentosi Tetra, White-Tip Tetra
Animalia›Chordata›Characiformes›Characidae
The Ornate Tetra is a small, peaceful schooling fish native to South American blackwater streams, prized for its elegant appearance and gentle temperament. These tetras display subtle beauty with their translucent bodies and distinctive red coloration on the tail and dorsal fin. They are ideal for planted community tanks and thrive best when kept in groups.
Where it's from
Native to the Amazon, Corantijn, Essequibo, Orinoco and 1 other river basins
Brazil, Suriname, Guyana, Colombia and Venezuela
At a glance
- Size
- 1.5 in
- 4 cm
- Min tank
- 10 gal
- 38 L
- Group
- 6+
- Temp
- 75–82°F
- 24–28°C
- pH
- 5.5-7.0
- GH
- 36–143 ppm
- 2–8 dGH
- Temperament
- Peaceful
- Swims
- Middle
- Lifespan
- 3-5 yrs
Ammonia 0 ppm and nitrate under 20 ppm.
Care
Diet
Feed small high-quality flake foods, micro pellets, and occasional live or frozen foods such as daphnia and brine shrimp. Ornate Tetras have small mouths, so food size is important. Feed once or twice daily in amounts they can consume within 2-3 minutes.
Behavior
Ornate Tetras are active, social fish that display schooling behavior and should never be kept alone. They are peaceful and non-aggressive, spending most of their time in the middle water column. They are most active during dawn and dusk, exhibiting natural behaviors in well-planted tanks with subdued lighting.
Breeding
Breeding is moderately difficult and requires soft, acidic water with temperatures around 26-28°C. Provide dense vegetation or spawning mops for egg adhesion. Remove adults after spawning as they may consume eggs. Fry are very small and require infusoria or liquid fry food initially.
Tank mates
See all 6Similar size, peaceful temperament, and schooling behavior make them ideal companions
Compatible water parameters and peaceful nature create harmonious community
Similar size and schooling requirements, peaceful cohabitation
Peaceful algae eater that occupies bottom zone without competing
Peaceful and non-aggressive, occupies different water zones
Member photos
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Common diseases 4Ich (Ichthyophthirius multifiliis), Fin Rot, Neon Tetra Disease, Columnaris (Flexibacter columnaris)
Ich (Ichthyophthirius multifiliis)
White spots on body and fins, rapid breathing, flashing against objects, lethargy
Increase water temperature to 28-30°C, perform daily water changes, use aquarium salt or ich medication following product instructions
Fin Rot
Frayed or deteriorating fins, discoloration at fin edges, fin loss
Improve water quality with frequent water changes, reduce stress, use antibacterial medication if severe, ensure proper tank maintenance
Neon Tetra Disease
Loss of coloration, curved spine, lethargy, erratic swimming behavior
No cure available; isolate affected fish to prevent spread, maintain excellent water quality, remove deceased fish promptly
Columnaris (Flexibacter columnaris)
White or grayish film on body, mouth rot, fin deterioration, loss of appetite
Improve water quality, increase aeration, use antibacterial medication, maintain temperature at 24-26°C, perform frequent water changes
Legality
No state or federal restrictions on record.
Not legal advice, and possibly incomplete or out of date. Rules vary by state and change over time; check with your state wildlife or agriculture agency before buying, keeping or shipping it.
The care information here is written with AI help, so it can contain mistakes. Spot one? Tell us and we'll fix it. Native range: Lista Roja de la Fauna Venezolana 2015 (CC BY 4.0); Tedesco et al. 2017 (CC0).
At a glance
- Size
- 1.5 in4 cm
- Min tank
- 10 gal38 L
- Group
- 6+
- Temp
- 75–82°F24–28°C
- pH
- 5.5-7.0
- GH
- 36–143 ppm2–8 dGH
- Temperament
- Peaceful
- Swims
- Middle
- Lifespan
- 3-5 yrs
Ammonia 0 ppm and nitrate under 20 ppm.
Keepers’ experiences
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