Garnet Tetra or Pretty Tetra (Hemigrammus pulcher): Full Guide

Garnet Tetra Featured Image

Garnet Tetra, also known as Pretty Tetra, is a moderately popular fish for aquariums.

It’s originally from the Peruvian Amazon, near Iquitos, and possibly Brazil and Colombia too.

Its diet includes worms, small crustaceans, and plants. Garnet tetras thrive when kept in a group of at least 5 fish.

The tank should be a minimum of 60 cm in size to provide ample space for all the fish to swim freely.

You can check out what this fish looks like over here.

Garnet Tetra Interesting Facts

  • Native to the Peruvian Amazon, Garnet Tetras grow up to 1.3 inches (3.3 centimeters) long.
  • Their diet consists of worms, small crustaceans, and plants.
  • Eggs hatch in 20 to 24 hours when breeding in captivity.
  • Ideal aquarium conditions: pH 5.0 to 6.0, dH 5 to 12, and water temperature between 73.4°F to 80.6°F (23°C to 27°C).

Garnet Tetra Habitat

Garnet tetra comes from South America, specifically the upper Amazon River basin. It lives in freshwater and swims near the bottom (benthopelagic).

The ideal water conditions for this fish are a pH range of 5.0 to 6.0 and a hardness (dH) range of 5 to 12.

Garnet tetras prefer a water temperature between 73.4°F to 80.6°F (23°C to 27°C).

Water Temperature:73.4°F to 80.6°F (23°C to 27°C)
Water pH:5.0 to 6.0 pH
Water Hardness:5 to 12 dH

Garnet Tetra Physical Characteristics

Size: 1.3 inches (3.3 centimeters)

Garnet tetra reaches a maximum length of 1.3 inches (3.3 centimeters) upon maturation.

Garnet Tetra Reproduction

When breeding in captivity, garnet tetras lay eggs among plants which hatch within 20 to 24 hours.

Garnet Tetra Scientific Classification

Kingdom:Animalia
Phylum:Chordata
Class:Actinopterygii
Order:Characiformes
Family:Characidae
Genus:Hemigrammus
Scientific Name:Hemigrammus pulcher
Also Known As:Garnet Tetra, Pretty Tetra
Conservation Status:Least Concern

Leave a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *