Home · Characidae · Black-flag tetra
Black-flag tetra (Hyphessobrycon rosaceus) — Characidae

Black-flag tetra

Hyphessobrycon rosaceus
Family: Characidae
LC · Least Concern

The Black-flag tetra (Hyphessobrycon rosaceus) is a freshwater fish of the family Characidae that grows up to 3 cm.

Length
3.4 cm
Water
Freshwater
Diet
Omnivore
Behaviour
Large groups
Activity
Diurnal
Body shape
Flat / disc-shaped
Substrate
Mixed bottom
Danger
Harmless
Edibility
Not eaten

Description

The rosy tetra is a small characin (Characidae) from northern South America. The species grows to about 4 cm and has a deep, pink to reddish body with partly red and black-and-white marked fins; males have a strongly elongated, sickle-shaped dorsal fin. It lives in schools in calm streams, pools and floodplains, often in blackwater with overhanging vegetation. As an omnivore it feeds on small zooplankton, insects and plant matter. It is popular worldwide in the aquarium hobby. The species is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Black-flag tetra?

The Black-flag tetra has a flattened, disc-shaped body, is mainly pink-purple and shows a plain pattern.

Where does the Black-flag tetra live?

The Black-flag tetra lives in fresh water and is mostly found around mixed bottom.

How big does the Black-flag tetra get?

The Black-flag tetra grows to a maximum of about 3 cm.

Is the Black-flag tetra dangerous to humans?

No, the Black-flag tetra is harmless to humans.

Is the Black-flag tetra edible?

The Black-flag tetra is not usually eaten.

Download Fin's Fish Guide

Identify fish in seconds, log your catches and dives. Join the TestFlight beta.

Get the beta →

All data

Identification

Dutch name
Roze tetra sourced
English name
Black-flag tetra verified
Scientific name
Hyphessobrycon rosaceus
Family
Characidae
Other names
Rosaceus; Rosy tetra verified

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
3.4 verified
Body shape
Flat / disc-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
Pink / purple inferred
Pattern
Plain inferred
Tail shape
Forked inferred
Mouth position
Terminal inferred
Lips
Thin inferred
Barbels
No sourced
Dorsal fins
Two separate inferred
Dorsal spines
No sourced

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Freshwater sourced
Substrate
Mixed bottom sourced
Origin
Native sourced

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Omnivore sourced
Social behaviour
Large groups inferred
Territorial
No inferred
Activity
Diurnal inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes sourced
Sexual dimorphism
Yes inferred

For anglers

Edibility
Not eaten sourced
Fishing method
Geen doelsoort voor de hengelsport; hooguit incidentele vangst of bruikbaar als aasvisje. inferred
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless sourced

Status & sources

Sources
FishBase via GBIF (DwC-A), CC-BY-NC 4.0

Same genus Hyphessobrycon

More from the family Characidae

Download Fin's Fish Guide

Identify fish in seconds, log your catches and dives. Join the TestFlight beta.

Get the beta →