Garnet Tetra

About

The garnet tetra (Hemigrammus pulcher) is a small characin from the upper Amazon basin, where it lives among soft, dark, acidic waters typical of that region. It carries a warm, jewel-like body coloration accented by a distinctive dark wedge near the tail. Hence one of its alternate names, the black wedge tetra. Adults stay compact, rarely pushing past an inch and a half, which makes them a practical choice for modestly sized community setups. In terms of behavior, this is a genuinely peaceful fish that does well alongside other small South American species. Fellow tetras, rasboras, danios, Corydoras, smaller livebearers, and calm dwarf cichlids all make suitable companions. It is on the shy side, so pairing it with anything large or boisterous tends to stress it out. Like most shoaling tetras, it really needs to be kept in a group. Six individuals is a reasonable floor, but ten or more is where the fish genuinely settles in and shows its best behavior and color. In the wild it feeds on small invertebrates and plant material, and it accepts a wide range of foods in captivity without much fuss. Breeding is achievable at home with some preparation, and the eggs and early fry are notably light-sensitive, so a dimly lit spawning setup is important. Overall this is a rewarding and accessible species for anyone looking to build a lively planted community tank.