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FisheasyFreshwater

Ulrey's Tetra

Hemigrammus ulreyi

📍 South America

Ulrey's Tetra is a slender, silver-bodied tetra distinguished by a bold black lateral stripe running from the snout to the tail, making it an attractive addition to community aquariums. It is a peaceful schooling fish that thrives in well-planted tanks with soft, slightly acidic water mimicking its natural Amazonian habitat. Its hardiness and calm temperament make it a popular choice for beginner and experienced hobbyists alike.

Size1.8"
Min Tank15g
School6+
peaceful
Zonemiddle

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Care Guide

Diet

Ulrey's Tetras are omnivores that readily accept high-quality flake foods and micro pellets as a staple diet. Supplement regularly with frozen or live foods such as daphnia, brine shrimp, and micro bloodworms to enhance coloration and overall health. Feed small amounts two to three times daily, offering only what the fish can consume within two minutes to maintain water quality.

Behavior

Ulrey's Tetras are active, peaceful schooling fish that feel most secure and display their best colors when kept in groups of six or more. They occupy the middle water column and are constantly on the move, creating a lively and dynamic display in the aquarium. They coexist well with other small, non-aggressive species and will not bother plants or invertebrates.

Breeding

Breeding Ulrey's Tetras is moderately achievable in a dedicated breeding tank with soft, slightly acidic water around pH 6.0-6.5 and dim lighting. They are egg scatterers that will broadcast adhesive eggs among fine-leaved plants or a spawning mop; adults must be removed promptly after spawning to prevent egg predation. Fry are tiny and require infusoria or commercial fry food initially before graduating to baby brine shrimp.

Common Diseases

Ich (White Spot Disease)

Symptoms

Small white salt-like spots on body and fins, flashing against surfaces, lethargy, loss of appetite

Treatment

Raise temperature gradually to 28-30°C, treat with aquarium-safe ich medication containing malachite green or formalin; perform regular water changes

Fin Rot

Symptoms

Frayed, disintegrating, or discolored fin edges, sometimes with reddish inflammation at the base

Treatment

Improve water quality with frequent water changes, treat with antibacterial medication such as kanamycin or erythromycin; remove any aggressive tankmates

Velvet (Oodinium)

Symptoms

Fine gold or rust-colored dust on skin, rapid gill movement, flashing, lethargy

Treatment

Dim tank lighting, treat with copper-based medication or acriflavine; raise temperature slightly and perform water changes

Neon Tetra Disease (Pleistophora)

Symptoms

Loss of color, white or pale patches on body, curved spine, difficulty swimming, wasting

Treatment

No reliable cure; isolate affected fish immediately to prevent spread, maintain pristine water quality, and euthanize severely affected individuals to protect the rest of the school

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Quick Facts

diet
Omnivore – accepts flake food, micro pellets, frozen/live daphnia, brine shrimp, and bloodworms
lifespan
3-5 years
max size
4.5 cm (1.8 in)
tank size
15 gallons minimum
temperament
peaceful

Water it likes

ph
6.0-7.2
ammonia
0 ppm
nitrate
<20 ppm
hardness
2-12 dGH
temperature
73–82°F (23–28°C)

Stats

Community tips0
Kept by0 hobbyists