Description
Remarks: The Candy Cane Tetra is more red than the wild-type Rosy Tetra. They are tall-bodied tetras with long dorsal fins that are red with a black spot. Like any shoaling species, they prefer to be kept in groups of 6 or more. They can be told apart from the very closely related and similar looking ornate tetra (Megalamphodus bentosi) by a lack of a dark spot behind the gill plate.
The scientific name for the candy cane tetra used to be Hyphessobrycon rosaceus “HY511”. However, it was reclassified as Megalamphodus rosaceus after the completion of an intensive phylogenic study on species in the family Characidae. Many other species were reclassified as well as a result of this study which can be read here:
The following article also provides a good breakdown of the results of the study and does not have a paywall:
Scientific Name: Megalamphodus rosaceus
Common Name: Candy Cane Tetra
Max Size: 1.5″
pH: 6.0-7.5
Hardness: Soft
Temperature: 72-82°
Aggressiveness: Peaceful
Region of Origin: South America
Captive Bred or Wild: Captive Bred
Diet: Flake or pellet
Compatibility: Schooling fish, livebearers, South American cichlids, catfish.
Tank Mate Options:
German Blue Ram
Rhino Pleco
Black Neon Tetra
