Ornate Tetra, also known as Bentos Tetra, is a freshwater tropical fish found in slow-moving tributaries of the Amazon Basin in Brazil and Peru.
It’s known by the scientific name Hyphessobrycon bentosi. Sometimes, it’s sold as an aquarium fish. People often mistake it for the rosy tetra.
This fish was named after Colonel Bentos from the Thayer Expedition to Brazil (1865 to 1866).
To keep them in an aquarium, you should have at least 5 of them together and use a tank that’s at least 60 cm long.
Ornate Tetra Interesting Facts
- Ornate Tetra, or Hyphessobrycon bentosi, is native to the Amazon Basin in Brazil and Peru.
- Often mistaken for the Rosy Tetra, it was named after Colonel Bentos from the Thayer Expedition (1865 to 1866).
- Ideal aquarium conditions include a pH of 5.8 to 7.5, hardness of 5 to 19 dH, and temperature between 75°F to 82°F (24°C to 28°C).
- It grows up to 1.7 inches (4.3 centimeters) and should be kept with at least four other individuals in a tank that’s a minimum of 60 cm long.
Ornate Tetra Habitat
Ornate tetra lives in the Amazon River basin in South America. This fish lives in freshwater and swims near the bottom.
Ornate tetra likes water with a pH between 5.8 to 7.5, and a hardness level between 5 to 19 dH.
The ideal temperature for this fish is between 75°F to 82°F (24°C to 28°C), which is typical of tropical environments.
| Water Temperature: | 75°F to 82°F (24°C to 28°C) |
| Water pH: | 5.8 to 7.5 pH |
| Water Hardness: | 5 to 19 dH |
Ornate Tetra Physical Characteristics
Size: 1.7 inches (4.3 centimeters)
Ornate tetra is a small fish that grows up to 1.7 inches (4.3 centimeters) long.
Ornate Tetra Scientific Classification
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Actinopterygii |
| Order: | Characiformes |
| Family: | Characidae |
| Genus: | Hyphessobrycon |
| Scientific Name: | Hyphessobrycon bentosi |
| Also Known As: | Ornate Tetra, Bentos Tetra |
| Conservation Status: | Least Concern |