HomeFreshwater aquarium fishTetras & characinsOrnate tetra Ornate tetra (Hyphessobrycon bentosi) Scientific name: Hyphessobrycon bentosi Durbin, 1908 The Ornate tetra (Hyphessobrycon bentosi) is a freshwater fish of the family Characidae that grows to about 4 cm (1.6 in). It is semi-aggressive, suits community aquariums and needs a tank of at least 55 L (15 US gal), water at 24–28°C (75–82°F) and a pH of 5.5–7.0. Native range: South America, Native to the Amazon basin in Peru and Brazil. Primarily inhabits forested areas, in sluggish tributaries off the main river channels. Ornate tetra care at a glanceTemperamentSemi-aggressiveCommunity tankGoodAdult size4 cm (1.6 in)Minimum tank55 L (15 US gal)Temperature24–28°C (75–82°F)pH5.5–7.0Hardness2–10 dGH (36–178 ppm)DietOmnivore. Accepts flakes, granules, frozen foods and live foods. BiologyAquarium keeping: in groups of 5 or more individuals; minimum aquarium size 60 cm.Source: FishBase, licensed CC BY-NC 4.0. Species factsScientific nameHyphessobrycon bentosiFamilyCharacidae (Characins)OrderCharaciformes (Characins)ClassActinopterygii (Ray-finned fishes)Maximum length4.3EnvironmentFreshwater;; pH range: 5.8 - 7.5; dH range: 5 - 19 benthopelagicClimateTropicalDistributionSouth America: Amazon River basin.Conservation status (IUCN)Least Concern (LC)Threat to humansHarmlessUsesAquarium: commercialResilienceHigh, minimum population doubling time less than 15 months (Preliminary K or Fecundity.) More tetras & characinsYellow tetraHyphessobrycon bifasciatusEmber tetraHyphessobrycon amandaeRosy tetraHyphessobrycon rosaceusRummy-nose tetraHemigrammus rhodostomusRoyal tetraInpaichthys kerriGlass tetraMoenkhausia oligolepisSee all tetras & characins SourcesTaxonomy, distribution and biology data: FishBase (Froese, R. and D. Pauly, eds.), licensed CC BY-NC 4.0. Aquarium care parameters compiled, checked and converted to metric and imperial units by Guppies.za.net.Last updated 28 September 2026