Product Details

Lemon Tetra Orange Bolivian – Hyphessobrycon cf. pulchripinnis “Bolivia Orange”

The Lemon Tetra Orange Bolivian is a bright, uncommon tetra with warm yellow-orange body colour and vivid orange fin highlights. It is closely related to the classic Lemon Tetra, Hyphessobrycon pulchripinnis, but the Bolivia Orange form is often best listed as Hyphessobrycon cf. pulchripinnis “Bolivia Orange” because it may represent a distinct, undescribed form. Peaceful, active and colourful, it makes an excellent choice for mature planted community aquariums with calm tank mates and a proper shoal.

Key Identification:

Common Name: Lemon Tetra Orange Bolivian
Other Names: Orange Bolivian Lemon Tetra, Bolivia Orange Lemon Tetra, Orange Lemon Tetra, Lemon Tetra
Scientific Name: Hyphessobrycon cf. pulchripinnis “Bolivia Orange”
Related / Trade Name: Hyphessobrycon pulchripinnis
Fish Type: Tetra / Characin
Water Type: Freshwater

Natural Range & Habitat:

The standard Lemon Tetra, Hyphessobrycon pulchripinnis, is a South American species associated with the lower Amazon and Tapajós region of Brazil. The Bolivia Orange form is traded as a Bolivian form closely resembling the Lemon Tetra, but its exact scientific status is not fully settled.

In the aquarium, this fish should be kept in a mature planted setup with shaded areas, open swimming space and stable water quality. Plants, wood, floating cover and a darker substrate help the orange colour show well and give the shoal confidence.

Appearance & Adult Size:

The Orange Bolivian Lemon Tetra has a small, deep-bodied tetra shape with a warm yellow, orange or amber body tone. The fins can show stronger orange colour than many standard Lemon Tetras, with mature males usually displaying the best intensity.

Adults usually reach around 3.5–4.5 cm. Females are often fuller-bodied, especially when mature, while males are usually slimmer and may show stronger colour and display behaviour.

Aquarium Suitability:

This species is well suited to peaceful community aquariums, planted displays and South American-style setups. It is a good choice for customers who like the look of Lemon Tetras but want a brighter, less common orange form.

It is not suitable for aggressive cichlid tanks, predator aquariums, very hard alkaline livebearer-only setups, immature aquariums or tanks with large fish that may swallow small tetras.

Recommended Aquarium Size:

A practical minimum is 60 litres for a group, with a tank length of at least 60 cm recommended. Larger aquariums of 75–90 litres or more are preferred for bigger shoals and mixed communities.

Keep in a group of at least 6, with 8–10 or more preferred. A proper shoal improves confidence, colour and natural behaviour.

Water Conditions:

Temperature: 22–28°C
pH: 6.0–7.5
Hardness: Soft to moderately hard
Additional Notes: Soft, slightly acidic water helps bring out the best colour, but stable captive aquarium conditions are more important than chasing exact numbers. Avoid sudden changes in temperature, pH or hardness, and add only to mature aquariums.

Temperament & Tank Mates:

Aquarium Category: Community Fish

Lemon Tetra Orange Bolivians are peaceful community fish. Suitable tank mates include other peaceful tetras, rasboras, pencilfish, small Cory-type catfish, Otocinclus, small peaceful plecs, dwarf cichlids with care, honey gouramis and other calm community fish.

Avoid large predators, aggressive cichlids, severe fin-nippers and very boisterous fish that may stress or outcompete them. They should not be kept singly or in pairs, as group life is important for confidence and natural behaviour.

Feeding:

These tetras are easy-feeding omnivores. Offer quality fine flakes, micro pellets and small soft granules as the staple diet. Supplement with frozen or live foods such as daphnia, cyclops, brineshrimp, mosquito larvae and small bloodworm.

A varied diet helps maintain strong orange colour, body condition and display behaviour. Feed small portions that are eaten quickly to keep water quality high.

Behaviour in the Aquarium:

This species usually swims through the middle levels of the aquarium, moving in a loose shoal through open water and planted areas. Males may hold small display areas and show brighter colour when settled, especially in a planted aquarium with a good-sized group.

Like other tetras, they are egg scatterers and do not provide parental care. If spawning occurs in a community aquarium, eggs and fry are usually eaten unless a separate breeding setup is used.

Care Notes:

Add Lemon Tetra Orange Bolivians only to a mature, fully cycled aquarium. Provide plants, shaded areas, open swimming space and peaceful tank mates. They may appear pale after transport, but settled fish usually colour up well with good food, clean water and subdued lighting.

Because this trade form may not be the same as true Hyphessobrycon pulchripinnis, avoid mixing it with standard Lemon Tetras if breeding or maintaining the orange line is important.

Recommended For:

Beginner to intermediate

Availability:

Occasional / Specialist import or captive-bred batches when available

Image Disclaimer:

All images are a visual representation of the fish you will receive, made to be as accurate as possible. Natural variation in size, orange colour, fin colour, body tone, sex, age and markings can occur between individual fish.