Pretty Tetra

The Pretty Tetra, sometimes called the Garnet Tetra, is a genuinely handsome species from the Peruvian Amazon that more than justifies its common name. The body is a warm golden-bronze with an iridescent green-gold sheen along the flanks, and a distinctive black patch behind the gill cover transitions into a broad gold-and-black shoulder marking. The upper iris is bright red, and the fins have subtle red and black accents. This combination of warm body tones and contrasting markings produces a rich, gemlike appearance that is particularly effective in densely planted aquariums with dark substrate and soft, tannin-stained water. Unlike some more commonly available tetras, the Pretty Tetra has a less generic appearance that distinguishes it in a mixed-species community. It is native to slow-moving, heavily vegetated Amazonian waters in Peru, where it inhabits soft, warm, slightly acidic conditions. In the aquarium it is peaceful, active, and undemanding, making it suitable for beginner to intermediate hobbyists. Males display more vibrant coloration than females. A school of six or more moves together gracefully, their golden bodies catching the light.