Not furry, but we like them anyway.
Rosy Tetra
Megalamphodus rosaceus
Also called Hyphessobrycon rosaceus (former name), Hyphessobrycon ornatus (historical synonym)
From South America: Guyana and Suriname (Essequibo, Corantijn/Courantyne and Suriname river basins), with Seriously Fish also listing Brazil123
At a glance the quick version
Looks how to spot one
Small, deep-bodied scaled characin
A deep-bodied little tetra with a pinkish blush on the lower flanks and fins. Mature males are larger, slimmer and more colourful, with long, flowing dorsal and anal fins. It looks much like the closely related bentosi tetra but has no dark spot behind the gill cover.13
Personality what they are like
Calm and friendly toward other fish. A group settles into a relaxed shoal, with males flaring their fins at each other in harmless displays.1
Daily activity how busy a day looks
Swims steadily in mid-water; enjoys open space next to dense planting.13
Grooming and care the hands-on bits
Straightforward care: stable soft to medium water, regular partial water changes and a varied diet. Colours look richest in slightly acidic water.1
Home where they are happiest
Tank of at least about 60 x 38 x 30 cm (around 68 litres) for a small group. Temperature 24 to 28 °C, pH about 5.5 to 7.5, hardness up to about 12 to 20 dGH. In nature it prefers clear, slow streams with lots of aquatic plants.123
Food basics what goes in the bowl
Eats small invertebrates in the wild. In the aquarium offer good flakes or granules plus small live and frozen foods.1
Company who they like around
Shoaling fish: at least 6, ideally 10 or more, kept with other peaceful tetras, rasboras, barbs or dwarf cichlids.1
The story where it all began
Marion Durbin Ellis described the rosy tetra in 1909 from fish collected at Gluck Island in the Essequibo River, Guyana. It became a popular aquarium fish and was moved to the genus Megalamphodus in 2024.312
Fun facts for the dinner table
Recognised by the official bits
- IUCN Red List
- Least Concern (assessed 4 March 2021)2
- FishBase
- Listed as a commercial aquarium species2
The care rhythm Furry Diary remembers it for you
A typical home-care rhythm for a Rosy Tetra. It is our own starting plan, not a vet's advice, and you can change every line in the app.
- FeedingSmall amounts once or twice a dayevery day
- Temperature checkevery day
- Water changeAbout 25% of the waterevery week
- Water testevery week
- Glass cleanevery week
- Filter rinseRinse in old tank water, never tap waterevery month
Owner questions the things everyone asks
How often should I feed my Rosy Tetra?
Furry Diary's starting plan is to feed small amounts once or twice a day. This keeps them healthy and active without overfeeding. Adjust based on how quickly they finish the food.1 Furry Diary plan
What does a Rosy Tetra eat, and what should it never eat?
They enjoy good quality flakes or granules plus small live and frozen foods like brine shrimp. As for what to avoid, that varies by individual; ask a good breeder or vet for specific no-go foods.1
How much space does a Rosy Tetra need?
A small group needs a tank of at least 60 x 38 x 30 cm (around 68 litres). This gives them room to swim and shoal comfortably.123
What temperature, light or water does a Rosy Tetra need?
Keep water temperature between 24 and 28 °C, pH around 5.5 to 7.5, and hardness up to 12, 20 dGH. Lighting needs vary; ask a good breeder for the best setup to show their colours.123
How often should I clean a Rosy Tetra's home?
Furry Diary's plan suggests a weekly 25% water change, glass cleaning, and a monthly filter rinse in old tank water. This keeps the water stable and your fish happy. Furry Diary plan
Can a Rosy Tetra live with others?
Yes, they are calm and friendly. Keep them in a shoal of at least 6 (ideally 10 or more) with other peaceful tetras, rasboras, barbs, or dwarf cichlids.1
How long does a Rosy Tetra live?
Lifespan varies depending on care and genetics. For a reliable estimate, ask a good breeder or an exotic-pet vet.
Can I handle a Rosy Tetra?
It's best not to handle them, fish are delicate and easily stressed. Enjoy watching their peaceful shoaling instead.
Written from the sources on this page, a few checked guides (VCA, ASPCA, RSPCA) and Furry Diary's own starting care plan. A friendly guide, not a vet's advice.
You might also like
Black Phantom Tetra
Red Phantom Tetra
Flame TetraLike what we are building? Buy Archy a bone.
All of this is free for everyone, with a source on every fact, and it will never show annoying ads. It was a big job to build, so if it helped you, buy Archy a bone. Any amount is lovely, and no is a perfectly fine answer too.
Archy is our Australian Cattle Dog and chief taste tester. Tips go to 4V3D OÜ, the small family studio behind Furry Diary.
Where this comes from
Every breed page shows where each fact comes from. If we got something wrong, sorry, we are pet people, not a science magazine. Tell us at support@furrydiary.app and we will fix it.
- Seriously Fish: Megalamphodus rosaceus seriouslyfish.comused for range, size, care parameters, diet, behaviour, breeding
- FishBase: Megalamphodus rosaceus fishbase.seused for distribution, length, water parameters, IUCN status
- Wikipedia: Rosy tetra en.wikipedia.orgused for history, type locality, appearance, synonyms
- VCA Animal Hospitals: Feeding times and frequency for your dog vcahospitals.comused for owner questions
- ASPCA: Dog grooming tips aspca.orgused for owner questions
- ASPCA: Cat grooming tips aspca.orgused for owner questions
- ASPCA: People foods to avoid feeding your pets aspca.orgused for owner questions
- RSPCA: What to feed your rabbit rspca.org.ukused for owner questions
Checked 2026-09-30. Text is written in our own words from these sources.