© Haplochromis / Public domainGarnet Tetra
The Garnet Tetra (Hemigrammus pulcher) is a small characin with a silvery-brown body accented by a black wedge-shaped mark and a warm garnet-red sheen toward the tail, plus a striking red half-moon above each eye. Peaceful but somewhat shy, this fish tends to show its best color in a calm, densely planted tank with places to retreat. It's considered beginner-friendly and schools nicely with other gentle small fish, making it a popular accent species for planted aquariums.
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Apply as a breederGarnet Tetra key facts
- Care level
- Beginner-friendly
- Lifespan
- 3-6 years
- Size
- About 3.3-4.5cm
- Temperature
- 23〜27℃
- Diet
- Dried foods, frozen bloodworm, Daphnia, brine shrimp
- Tank
- 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.
- Water Temperature & Quality
- 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.
- Tank Mates
- 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.
- Diet & Feeding
- 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 & Spawning
- 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.
- Health & Notes
- 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.
About Garnet Tetra
A small silvery-brown characin with a warm garnet sheen. Peaceful and beginner-friendly, it colors up best in a calm, planted tank.
7 things to know before welcoming a Garnet Tetra
1Keep in a group for security
Being somewhat shy, individuals kept alone or in very small numbers tend to hide. Keeping them in a group of their own kind helps them feel secure, encouraging natural behavior and better color.
2Provide hiding spots
Adding plants or driftwood to create shaded hiding spots helps them settle in. A layout with cover tends to bring out better color and more relaxed behavior than a bare, open tank.
3Choose peaceful tankmates
Because they're gentle by nature, boisterous or aggressive tankmates can cause them to become withdrawn. Pairing them with other calm, small fish makes it easier to maintain a relaxed community tank.
4Avoid sudden water changes
These fish can be sensitive to sudden changes in water conditions, especially right after introduction or a water change. Take time with drip acclimation and avoid abrupt shifts in chemistry or temperature to support their health.
5Cycle the tank before arrival
Since this species is sensitive to environmental change, it's best to fully cycle the tank and stabilize water conditions before bringing the fish home, so they can settle in without added stress.
6Match tank size to adult size
Adults stay compact at roughly 3.3–4.5cm, but since they're best kept in a group, choose a tank with enough swimming space to comfortably house a school.
7Watch for everyday health signs
Appetite, swimming behavior, and color changes can all signal shifts in health. Keep them in a calm environment and make a habit of observing them closely day to day.
Frequently asked questions about Garnet Tetra
- Q.Is this fish suitable for beginners?
- A.Yes, it's generally considered beginner-friendly. That said, since it's a somewhat shy fish, keeping it in a group with hiding spots in a calm setup makes care easier.
- Q.How big does it grow?
- A.Adults reach about 3.3–4.5cm, making it a small species that's manageable to keep even in a group.
- Q.Can it be kept with other fish?
- A.Yes, its peaceful temperament makes it easy to combine with other calm, small fish. Avoid pairing it with aggressive tankmates, as it may become withdrawn.
- Q.How can I bring out its best color?
- A.Color tends to develop best in a calm environment. Providing hiding spots and keeping them in a group to reduce stress are key factors.
- Q.Is this species subject to CITES regulation?
- A.This species is not listed under CITES.
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