Product Details

Peugeot Tetra – Hyphessobrycon peugeoti

The Peugeot Tetra is a rare and attractive South American tetra with warm red body colour, delicate markings and impressive male finnage when mature. Correctly listed as Hyphessobrycon peugeoti, this small characin is best suited to mature planted aquariums with soft water, subdued lighting and peaceful tank mates. It is an excellent choice for aquarists wanting an unusual shoaling tetra for a calm community or specialist South American display.

Key Identification:

Common Name: Peugeot Tetra
Other Names: Peugeot’s Tetra, Peppermill Tetra, Red Peugeot Tetra
Scientific Name: Hyphessobrycon peugeoti
Synonym / Older Trade Name: Hyphessobrycon peugeotorum
Fish Type: Tetra / Characin
Water Type: Freshwater

Natural Range & Habitat:

Hyphessobrycon peugeoti is native to Brazil, where it is recorded from the middle Rio Juruena drainage in the upper Rio Tapajós basin. This is a South American softwater tetra from warm tropical freshwater habitats.

In the aquarium, Peugeot Tetras should be kept in a mature planted setup with shaded areas, gentle flow, open swimming space and natural cover. Wood, fine-leaved plants, floating plants, botanicals and a darker substrate can help the fish feel secure and show stronger colour.

Appearance & Adult Size:

Peugeot Tetras are small, elegant tetras with warm red, orange-red or pinkish body colour when settled. Mature males are especially attractive, often showing more intense colour and longer, more decorative finnage. The dorsal fin may become noticeably extended in adult males, giving the species a distinctive look compared with many common tetras.

Adults usually reach around 3–4 cm. Females are typically fuller-bodied and less extended in the fins, while males tend to show brighter colour and more elaborate fin shape as they mature.

Aquarium Suitability:

This species is best suited to mature peaceful community aquariums, softwater planted displays and specialist tetra collections. It should be kept with calm tank mates that will not nip the fins, outcompete it heavily or cause constant stress.

Peugeot Tetras are not suitable for aggressive cichlid tanks, predator aquariums, very hard alkaline livebearer setups, immature aquariums or boisterous communities where small tetras struggle to feed.

Recommended Aquarium Size:

A practical minimum is 60 litres for a small group, with a tank length of at least 60 cm recommended. Larger aquariums of 75–90 litres or more are preferred for bigger groups 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: 23–28°C
pH: 6.0–7.2
Hardness: Soft to moderately soft preferred
Additional Notes: Peugeot Tetras are best maintained in clean, stable, mature water. Soft, slightly acidic conditions are ideal, although captive-raised fish may adapt to moderately harder water if acclimated gradually. Avoid sudden changes in temperature, pH or hardness.

Temperament & Tank Mates:

Aquarium Category: Community Fish

Peugeot Tetras are peaceful community fish. Suitable tank mates include other small peaceful tetras, pencilfish, rasboras, small Cory-type catfish, Otocinclus, small peaceful plecs, dwarf cichlids with care and calm upper-level community fish.

Avoid large predators, aggressive cichlids, severe fin-nippers, very boisterous barbs and fish large enough to swallow them. Because mature males may develop extended fins, avoid tank mates that are known to nip delicate finnage.

Feeding:

Peugeot Tetras are easy-feeding omnivores once settled. 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 support colour, body condition and display behaviour. Feed small portions that are eaten quickly, as this species is small and does best in clean water.

Behaviour in the Aquarium:

This species usually swims through the middle levels of the aquarium, moving in a loose shoal through plants and open water. In a settled group, males may display with stronger colour and extended fins, especially in subdued lighting.

Like other tetras, Peugeot Tetras 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 Peugeot Tetras only to a fully cycled, mature aquarium. Provide shaded areas, plant cover, stable water quality and a good-sized group. This species can look pale after transport or in bright bare tanks, but settled fish usually colour up well in calm, dimly lit planted aquariums.

Because this is an uncommon species, availability may be limited and stock may be offered as specialist imports or captive-bred batches. Use both Hyphessobrycon peugeoti and Hyphessobrycon peugeotorum in search fields where useful.

Recommended For:

Intermediate

Availability:

Occasional / Specialist import or captive-bred 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, red colour, fin length, sex, age and markings can occur between individual fish.