
Source: Wikimedia Commons
Holopristis pulchra
A small, fairly deep-bodied characin, silver-brown with a black wedge and a red-gold gleam on the rear flank and a red upper iris. Peaceful but shy, it colours up best in a settled tank.
Holopristis pulchra is a small characin endemic to the upper Amazon in Peru. FishBase gives 3.3cm SL with records to 4.5cm TL, pH 5.0-6.0, 5-12 dH and 23-27C, while Seriously Fish gives 23-27C, pH 5.5-7.0, 1-12 dGH and a base of at least 60 by 38cm, about 68 litres. It is a fairly deep-bodied silver-brown fish with a black wedge before the caudal peduncle topped by a red-gold gleam, and the upper half of the iris is red; that jewel-like colouring is what names it. It lives in slow, forest-shaded tributaries. It is shy, so avoid large or boisterous tank mates. Most fish on sale come from eastern European farms and tolerate a wide range of water.
Source: Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0)
The Garnet Tetra lives 3-6 years.
The Garnet Tetra grows to About 3.3-4.5cm.
The ideal temperature for the Garnet Tetra is 23〜27℃.
Origin
South America (upper Amazon River basin, Peru)
Lifespan
3-6 years
Size
About 3.3-4.5cm
Sources: Seriously Fish / FishBase
Edited & verified by: BreederDirect editorial team
The taxonomic, regulatory, and husbandry data on this page are compiled and verified against the authoritative primary sources below.
Accepted name: Holopristis pulchra (Ladiges, 1938)
Synonyms: Hemigrammus pulcher
Authority databases: FishBase
Nomenclature follows global taxonomic authority databases.
Sources: CITES Appendices (species not listed) / IUCN Red List
Regulations may change. Always verify the latest information with the relevant authorities.
Find listings for this species
Temperature
23〜27℃
Dried foods, frozen bloodworm, Daphnia, brine shrimp
Seriously Fish suggests a base of at least 60 by 38cm, about 68 litres. Driftwood, leaf litter and floating plants for shade calm its shyness and bring up the colour, and a dark substrate suits it.
Seriously Fish gives 23-27C, pH 5.5-7.0 and 1-12 dGH; FishBase gives a more acidic pH 5.0-6.0 with 5-12 dH and 23-27C. Farmed fish are adaptable.
Peaceful but shy, so avoid larger or boisterous tank mates. It mixes with livebearers, danios, rasboras, other tetras, Corydoras, small loricariids, gouramis and dwarf cichlids. Keep at least six.
It eats almost anything. Base the diet on dried food and mix in frozen bloodworm, Daphnia and brine shrimp for colour and condition. FishBase records worms, small crustaceans and plant matter in the wild.
Breeding is fairly easy. Spawn them in a dimly lit separate tank with fine-leaved plants or a mesh base and remove the adults. FishBase records spawning among plants with the eggs hatching in twenty to twenty-four hours.
FishBase lists it as IUCN Least Concern, not on the CITES appendices and harmless to people. It stays washed out until it settles in, then colours up, so give it plenty of cover.
Beginner. This is a beginner-friendly species. No special equipment or experience is required, and it can be kept successfully with basic care setup.
The ideal temperature for Garnet Tetra is 23〜27℃. Avoid sudden temperature changes and maintain a stable environment.
The average lifespan of Garnet Tetra is 3-6 years. With proper care and nutrition, they can live a long and healthy life.
Garnet Tetra typically reaches About 3.3-4.5cm as an adult. Size may vary depending on care conditions and individual genetics.
Garnet Tetra feeds on: Dried foods, frozen bloodworm, Daphnia, brine shrimp. Aim for a balanced diet with appropriate feeding frequency.
The price of Garnet Tetra varies significantly depending on morph, size, and lineage. Check our market price page for the latest pricing information.
Last updated: September 17, 2026