Garnet tetra - Hemigrammus pulcher

Scientific name: Hemigrammus pulcher

Common name: Garnet tetra

Family: Characidae

Usual size in fish tanks: 2 - 3 cm (0.79 - 1.18 inch)

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Recommended pH range: 5 - 7

Recommended water hardness: 4 - 12°N (71.43 - 214.29ppm)

0°C 32°F30°C 86°F

Recommended temperature range: 22 - 28 °C (71.6 - 82.4°F)

The way how these fish reproduce: Spawning

Where the species comes from: South America

Temperament to its own species: peaceful

Temperament toward other fish species: peaceful

Usual place in the tank: Middle levels

Short description

The Garnet tetra (Hemigrammus pulcher) is a tiny, peaceful South American characin prized for its warm, ruby glow and schooling behavior. It thrives in calm community aquaria with soft, clean water, dim light and plant cover. Keep in groups of 8–10 to reduce shyness and bring out natural color.

Origin

South America – upper Amazon Basin (Peru/Brazil) in slow tributaries, marginal zones and floodplain creeks with leaf litter, wood and aquatic plants. Often encountered in soft, slightly acidic blackwater or clearwater.

Food and feeding

A small-mouthed micro-predator/omnivore. Use fine-quality flakes or micro-pellets as the staple, and offer tiny frozen/live foods (baby brine shrimp, daphnia, cyclops, microworms) several times per week. Small, frequent feedings help keep them in condition and intensify coloration.

Sexing

Females are typically a little fuller-bodied when mature; males remain slimmer and may display slightly stronger coloration.

Breeding

A typical egg-scattering tetra. Condition a group on rich micro-foods. For spawning, use very soft, acidic water, fine-leaved plants or a spawning mop, and subdued light. Adults will eat eggs—remove them after spawning. At ~25–26 °C, eggs hatch in ~24–36 hours. Start fry on infusoria/rotifers, then baby brine shrimp as they grow.

Lifespan

Commonly 3–5 years with good care and low nitrate (small tetras often exceed 2 years under optimal conditions).

Behavior & compatibility

Peaceful, midwater shoaler. Excellent with other small, calm species (nano tetras/rasboras, pygmy Corydoras, dwarf Apistogramma, peaceful pencilfish). Avoid large or nippy tank mates. A larger group spreads any intraspecific squabbling and makes them bolder.

Tank requirements

Tank size: 60 L for a group (larger is better for stable water and schooling).
Aquascape: plants, wood and leaf litter for cover; open lanes for schooling; subdued lighting (floating plants help).
Water: pH 5.0–7.0, soft, temperature 24–27 °C is a sweet spot.
Filtration: gentle flow, very clean water, low nitrate; small but regular water changes.

Care notes

Dark substrate and tannins (catappa/leaf litter) accentuate the “garnet” coloration. Stable, clean water is more important than hitting exact numbers within the stated ranges.