Ornate Tetra (Hyphessobrycon bentosi) for Sale in Canada

The Ornate Tetra (Hyphessobrycon bentosi), also known as the Bentosi Tetra, is an elegant South American freshwater fish admired for its soft pink to reddish body coloration, distinctive dark shoulder marking, and beautiful flowing fins. Its graceful appearance and peaceful temperament make it an excellent choice for a well-maintained community aquarium.

A healthy school of Ornate Tetras can add subtle colour and constant movement to the middle levels of a planted aquarium. Their delicate pinkish body tones stand out beautifully against dark substrate, driftwood, leaf litter, and lush green aquatic plants.

Ornate Tetras are social fish and thrive when kept in a proper group. They are generally peaceful and can be excellent companions for other calm, similarly sized freshwater fish. A mature aquarium with stable water conditions and natural cover will help this attractive tetra display its best colour and behaviour.

Monster Aquarium Canada offers Ornate Tetra (Hyphessobrycon bentosi) for Canadian aquarium hobbyists with professional live fish shipping throughout Canada.

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Why Choose Ornate Tetra?

An Elegant and Peaceful South American Tetra

Ornate Tetras are prized for their:

Unique Features

Premium Characteristics

• Attractive pink to reddish body coloration
• Distinctive dark shoulder marking
• Elegant flowing fins
• Peaceful community temperament
• Active schooling behaviour
• Excellent planted aquarium fish
• Interesting social displays
• Beautiful contrast against natural aquarium décor

Their graceful appearance makes a school of Ornate Tetras an attractive addition to peaceful community aquariums.

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Aquarium Size

A 20-gallon aquarium or larger is recommended for a small school of Ornate Tetras. A 30-gallon or larger aquarium provides additional space for a larger group and compatible community fish.

Recommended Aquarium Setup

• Mature biological filtration
• Gentle to moderate water movement
• Good oxygenation
• Live aquatic plants
• Driftwood
• Leaf litter
• Natural or dark substrate
• Open swimming areas
• Some shaded cover

A natural South American-style aquarium can provide an especially attractive environment for this species.

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Water Parameters

• Scientific Name: Hyphessobrycon bentosi
• Common Name: Ornate Tetra
• Also Known As: Bentosi Tetra, White-Tipped Tetra
• Adult Size: Approximately 1.5–2 inches (4–5 cm)
• Temperature: 23–28°C (73–82°F)
• pH: 5.5–7.5
• GH: 2–12 dGH
• Care Level: Easy to Moderate
• Temperament: Peaceful
• Diet: Omnivore
• Swimming Level: Middle level
• Lifespan: Approximately 3–5 years with proper care

Stable water quality and regular aquarium maintenance are important for keeping Ornate Tetras healthy and colourful.

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Feeding Your Ornate Tetra

Ornate Tetras are omnivorous and generally accept a wide range of appropriately sized foods.

Recommended Foods

• Premium tropical flakes
• High-quality micro pellets
• Fine granules
• Frozen bloodworms
• Baby brine shrimp
• Daphnia
• Cyclops
• Microworms
• Small live foods

A varied diet can support healthy growth, active behaviour, and attractive natural coloration.

Feed small portions once or twice daily.

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Ideal Planted Aquarium

Ornate Tetras are excellent fish for planted freshwater aquariums.

Recommended Plants

• Java Fern
• Anubias
• Cryptocoryne
• Java Moss
• Bucephalandra
• Vallisneria
• Water Sprite
• Amazon Sword
• Floating plants

Dense planting around the sides and rear of the aquarium provides security, while open central areas allow the school to swim naturally.

Dark substrate and natural driftwood can make their pink and red tones especially noticeable.

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Compatible Tank Mates

Ornate Tetras are generally peaceful and can be kept with many calm, appropriately sized community fish.

Suitable Tank Mates

• Other peaceful Tetras
• Red Phantom Tetras
• Lemon Tetras
• Cardinal Tetras
• Black Neon Tetras
• Harlequin Rasboras
• Corydoras
• Otocinclus
• Peaceful Gouramis
• Small peaceful Barbs
• Apistogramma

Avoid:

• Large predatory fish
• Highly aggressive cichlids
• Large fin-nipping fish
• Fish large enough to eat them
• Extremely aggressive community species

Always consider adult size, temperament, and water requirements when selecting tank mates.

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Schooling Behaviour

Ornate Tetras are social fish and should be kept in groups.

Recommended Group Size

Keep 6 or more, with 8–10 or more providing an even more natural and impressive display when aquarium space allows.

A proper school encourages:

• Greater confidence
• Reduced stress
• Natural social interactions
• More active swimming
• Better overall colour and behaviour

A larger group can create a beautiful moving display through the middle of a planted aquarium.

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Male and Female Differences

Sexual differences can become more noticeable as the fish mature.

Males

• Often slimmer-bodied
• May display more intense coloration
• Usually have longer or more pronounced dorsal fins
• Can perform social displays toward other males

Females

• Generally fuller-bodied
• Usually have a rounder abdomen
• May appear less intensely coloured

A mixed group can provide interesting natural social behaviour.

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Supporting Beautiful Colour

The pink and red tones of Ornate Tetras can be influenced by genetics, diet, health, and aquarium conditions.

Colour-Care Tips

• Maintain excellent water quality
• Feed a varied and nutritious diet
• Keep an appropriate school
• Avoid overcrowding
• Provide plants and natural cover
• Minimize stress
• Maintain stable water conditions

A mature, comfortable aquarium can help the fish show their best natural appearance.

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Breeding Ornate Tetras

Ornate Tetras are egg-scattering fish and may breed under suitable aquarium conditions.

Breeding Tips

• Condition healthy adults with nutritious live and frozen foods
• Use a separate breeding aquarium
• Provide fine-leaved plants or spawning mops
• Maintain soft, clean water
• Keep lighting subdued
• Remove adults after spawning
• Protect eggs and developing fry

Adults do not provide parental care and may consume their eggs.

Raising Fry

Newly hatched fry require very small foods initially. As they develop, they can gradually move to larger foods such as baby brine shrimp.

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Why Buy Ornate Tetra from Monster Aquarium Canada?

Premium Healthy Aquarium Fish

Monster Aquarium Canada carefully selects Ornate Tetras for:

• Healthy body condition
• Active swimming
• Strong feeding response
• Attractive natural coloration
• Beautiful fin development
• Premium aquarium quality

Professional Live Fish Shipping Across Canada

Live fish are professionally packaged to help provide safe transportation throughout Canada.

Canadian Aquarium Fish Supplier

Monster Aquarium Canada specializes in freshwater fish, rare tropical fish, monster fish, freshwater shrimp, crayfish, aquatic snails, aquarium plants, fish foods, medications, and aquarium supplies for Canadian aquarists.

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Frequently Asked Questions

1. How large does an Ornate Tetra grow?

Ornate Tetras generally reach approximately 1.5–2 inches (4–5 cm) as adults.

2. Are Ornate Tetras peaceful?

Yes. Ornate Tetras are generally peaceful and make excellent additions to appropriately stocked community aquariums.

3. How many Ornate Tetras should I keep?

A group of 6 or more is recommended, while 8–10 or more can encourage more natural schooling behaviour.

4. Are Ornate Tetras good for planted aquariums?

Yes. They are excellent for planted aquariums, where their pink and red coloration can contrast beautifully with green plants and dark natural décor.

5. Does Monster Aquarium Canada ship Ornate Tetras across Canada?

Yes. Monster Aquarium Canada provides professional live fish shipping throughout Canada to help Canadian aquarists receive their Ornate Tetras safely.