Hyphessobrycon roseus · Yellow Phantom Tetra

Overview

A very small, peaceful tetra, Hyphessobrycon roseus suits a group among similarly sized softwater companions. Two traded color forms have complicated its identity, so a yellow-phantom trade label alone is not a reliable identification.

Distribution & habitat

The range extends from Suriname's Courantyne east to the Oyapock on the French Guiana–Brazil border. Intermediate records include the Suriname, Maroni, and Sinnamary systems.

Most collections come from upper tributaries and forest creeks. Slow to moderate water passes shaded banks over sand, roots, branches, and leaf litter. Humic material stains the acidic water brown, with very low carbonate hardness and conductivity.

Aquarium setup

Sand and branching wood create a natural display, while a well-planted aquarium also works. Dried leaves add cover and support microbial growth during decomposition, providing supplementary tiny foods for adults and fry alongside regular feeding.

Diet & feeding

Small invertebrates, crustaceans, filamentous algae, and fallen fruit are presumed wild foods. Dry preparations can be accepted, but include regular small live or frozen bloodworms, mosquito larvae, and water fleas for variety.

Behaviour & compatibility

Its very peaceful nature suits similarly sized characins and appropriate small catfishes with compatible environmental needs. Evaluate companions by actual size and behavior rather than relying on a general peaceful label.

A mixed-sex shoal of eight to ten or more is preferable. Additional shoaling fishes can provide reassurance and encourage natural activity.

Sexual dimorphism

Mature females are noticeably deeper-bodied and usually a little larger than males.

Breeding

This egg scatterer provides no parental care. Well-conditioned adults may spawn repeatedly, with a few fry surviving in a mature aquarium. For higher yields, use a separate dim aquarium with mature water and mesh, artificial grass, marbles, fine plants, or mops protecting the eggs.

Slightly acidic to neutral water, temperatures near the upper end of the suitable range, and gentle air-powered filtration or an airstone are appropriate. Introduce a conditioned pair or one to two males with several females. Eggs are commonly seen the following morning.

Offer Paramecium or extremely fine starter food around 5–50 μm, followed by Artemia nauplii and microworms once the fry can take them.

Notes

Typical fish have a rosy body, red fins without black marks, and a conspicuous oval humeral spot spanning roughly half the body depth. One of the two traded color forms has small fin-ray hooks, but this does not establish a separate described species.

Historical treatment under Megalamphodus relates to the wider rosy-tetra discussion. Color-based groups within Hyphessobrycon should not be mistaken for conclusively established evolutionary lineages.