Phoenix Tetra

Rarely found in the trade and pricey, the phoenix tetra sports flowing filaments off its fins and displays bright red tails when attracting mates. These fish are best in schools of six or more, peaceful and hardy. Once wild-caught in Brazil, these are no longer exported. BUT we have one breeder that makes these beautiful fish available to the trade, and when we can get a school of them, we grab 'em. Another name for these tetras is the filamentous tetra.

Quick Facts

Care Guide

Tank setup: Give them plants along the back and sides, open swimming space in front and a dark substrate, which brings out their color. Keep a lid on the tank, since tetras can jump.

Feeding: Feed a quality flake or small pellet once or twice a day, only as much as they eat in a couple of minutes. They also enjoy frozen foods like bloodworms and brine shrimp.

Tankmates: They get along with most peaceful community fish of similar size, such as other tetras, rasboras, danios, corydoras, dwarf cichlids, gouramis and livebearers.

Good to know: Tetras feel safer and show better color in a group. A larger school also spreads out any chasing.