Product Details

Rosy Tetra – Megalamphodus rosaceus

Overview:

The Rosy Tetra is a peaceful, elegant South American shoaling fish with a soft pink to rose body colour, pale-edged fins and attractive display behaviour. Megalamphodus rosaceus is a classic planted-aquarium tetra that looks best in a settled group, especially under gentle lighting with dark décor and plenty of plant cover. It is hardy once acclimated, but it should still be kept in a mature aquarium with stable water and calm tank mates.

Key Identification:

Common Name: Rosy Tetra
Other Names: Rose Tetra, Rosy Fin Tetra, White-Finned Rosy Tetra
Scientific Name: Megalamphodus rosaceus
Synonym / Older Trade Name: Hyphessobrycon rosaceus
Fish Type: Tetra / Characin
Water Type: Freshwater

Natural Range & Habitat:

The Rosy Tetra is native to northern South America. Seriously Fish records it from several river systems including the Rio Essequibo, Rio Corantijn and Rio Suriname, while Fishkeeper also describes it from the Corantijn, Essequibo and Suriname River basins.

In nature, it is associated with sluggish, vegetated tributaries, plant cover, submerged roots and tannin-stained soft acidic water. In the aquarium, it shows best in planted layouts with shaded areas, wood, leaf litter or botanicals, and open midwater swimming space.

Appearance & Adult Size:

Rosy Tetras have a laterally compressed body with soft pink, peach or rose tones and a subtle reflective sheen. The fins may show red, black and white markings depending on sex, age and strain. Mature males are usually slimmer and often develop more extended dorsal and anal fins, while females tend to be fuller-bodied.

Adults usually reach around 4 cm, with common aquarium sources describing them as a small tetra of about 3–4 cm.

Aquarium Suitability:

This is an excellent fish for peaceful planted community aquariums and soft-water displays. Rosy Tetras suit aquariums with live plants, floating cover, bogwood, darker substrate and gentle to moderate filtration. They are active enough to be visible, but not usually aggressive when kept in a suitable group.

They are not suitable for aggressive cichlid tanks, large predatory fish, boisterous fin-nippers or immature aquariums with unstable water quality.

Recommended Aquarium Size:

A practical minimum is 60 litres for a group, with 90 litres or more preferred for a larger shoal and better display behaviour. A tank length of at least 60 cm is recommended so males can display and the group can move naturally through open water.

Water Conditions:

Temperature: 24–28°C
pH: 5.5–7.5
Hardness: Soft to moderately hard; softer stable water preferred
Additional Notes: Fishkeeper describes the species as coming from soft, acidic, often tannin-stained waters, while captive-bred or well-acclimated fish are usually adaptable if water quality is stable. Avoid sudden parameter changes, high nitrate and very bright exposed conditions.

Temperament & Tank Mates:

Aquarium Category: Community Fish

Rosy Tetras are peaceful shoaling fish and are well suited to calm community aquariums. Suitable tank mates include other peaceful tetras, rasboras, pencilfish, small danios, Cory-type catfish, Otocinclus, small plecs, gentle dwarf cichlids and peaceful gouramis in compatible water.

Avoid large predators, aggressive cichlids, persistent fin-nippers and very tiny fry. Keep in a group of at least 6, with 8–10 or more preferred. Larger groups encourage better colour, confidence and natural male display behaviour.

Feeding:

Rosy Tetras are easy-feeding omnivores. Offer quality fine flakes, micro pellets and small granules as the staple diet. Supplement with frozen or live foods such as daphnia, cyclops, brineshrimp, mosquito larvae and finely chopped bloodworm. Small live or frozen foods are especially useful for improving colour and condition.

Behaviour in the Aquarium:

This species usually swims in the middle levels, moving in a loose group among plants and open spaces. Mature males may display to one another by spreading their fins and circling, especially in a mixed-sex group. This display is usually harmless when the group is large enough and the aquarium has enough space and cover.

Care Notes:

Add Rosy Tetras only to a mature, fully cycled aquarium. Keep them in a proper group, maintain clean water and provide shaded areas so they do not feel exposed. Darker substrate, floating plants and tannins can help bring out their colour. A secure lid is recommended, as small active tetras may jump if startled. Most Rosy Tetras in the trade are captive-bred, but wild-style soft, stable water still suits them well.

Recommended For:

Beginner to intermediate

Availability:

Common to occasional / Usually captive-bred

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, colour, pattern and markings can occur between individual fish.