Crystal Red Tetra

About

The crystal red tetra (Hyphessobrycon haraldschultzi) is a small characid from the Araguaia River basin in South America, where it inhabits the soft, acidic waters typical of that region. It belongs to what hobbyists sometimes call the 'flag tetras'. A loose grouping of Hyphessobrycon species sharing a distinctive dark blotch on the dorsal fin, often framed by contrasting pale or yellowish markings. In this species, that dorsal marking is relatively compact, bordered above by a white patch and below by a yellowish band, which helps separate it from close relatives like H. eques. The body itself carries the pinkish-to-red coloration characteristic of the broader rosy tetra group. In the aquarium this species is a peaceful, mid-water schooler that really shows its best behavior in groups of eight or more. It fits well into a community alongside similarly scaled characins, smaller catfishes, and non-aggressive cichlids. One thing to know going in: it turns up in the trade only occasionally, often as an accidental inclusion in shipments of other tetras, so when you find it, it's worth grabbing a proper group. Breeding is achievable for intermediate keepers willing to set up a dedicated spawning tank with dim lighting and egg protection, as adults scatter eggs freely and show no parental instinct whatsoever.