A Pretty Little Fish Called 'Candy Cane Tetra'

[angelbaby]

Hey everyone,

I work a pet store in Winnipeg, Canada and we recently brought in a fish called a candy cane tetra. I can't seem to find anything about this fish and our fish dealer won't give me the scientific name of this fish. Unsure if its because he's a jerk or he doesn't know what it is.

They are beautiful tetras, right now they are in between the size of a Canadian quarter and a Canadian loonie.

I have attached a really low quality picture of these guys. If anyone can tell me the Latin name of these guys or give me info about them, like how big they get, water requirements, aggressiveness and the like.

If anyone has any info about these guys, the help would be greatly appreciated.


Hopefully you can see what they look like.

[Schmidtsie]

My guess would be Hyphessobrycon bentosi (aka Ornate Tetra) with my dark horse candidate being the white tipped version of Hyphessobrycon rosaceus (aka Rosy Tetra).

Hopefully that helps.
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Schmidtsie
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[angelbaby]

Yeah I thought they may have been a rosy tetra too, but all the pictures of rosy tetras had black on the fins I thought, which is why I didn't think that's what they were

[lou zello]

i have 12 in my 55gal they gat about 1 1/2 inch max great looking fish

[kb46]

They look like what our local pet shop sells as "Ornate White Tip Tetra" - so two votes for Hyphessobrycon bentosi!
A very pretty fish - they'll make a lovely addition to your tank.

[J.B.]

I'd venture to say your supplier is both a jerk and doesn't know. Ornate White-Tip is a nice combination of two trade names, which is exactly the problem with them. Anyway, it does appear to be the Hyphessobrycon bentosi...good looking fish.

[angelbaby]

Would a school of 5 or 6 be too much for a ten gallon? I wouldn't put anything else in the tank except maybe something to munch non algae

[lou zello]

if you have a big enough filter i don't see why not.only my opinion.actually if you have a big enough filter they would be happier with 8-10 in the group.add some live plants and a filter for like a 30gal and then go for the 8-10.i think it would look great!!!!!

[angelbaby]

I have a 20 gal filter on there but I can easily get one for a 30 gal. I have some swords and java moss from my 55 I could put in there, or would the swords get to big for my little 10 gal?

[C. Andrew Nelson]

I'm also casting my vote for them being Hyphessobrycon Bentosi. Good looking fish. I haven't seen them for sale in my area, but that's what they appear to be to my eye.

[angelbaby]

I'm also casting my vote for them being Hyphessobrycon Bentosi. Good looking fish. I haven't seen them for sale in my area, but that's what they appear to be to my eye.

This seems to be the most common answer, i thought that was what they were but the black on the dorsal fin was throwing me off, since they don't have it

[lou zello]

yes i think the swords may get to big,but one in a back corner would look nice along with a couple different kinds of crypt's and your moss,maybe a small piece of wood and a couple rocks/stones.you could allso use the sword to hide your filter intake or your heater.take a look at a post of mine from AUG 13th called "INFO ON POSTING PHOTOS" and you will see how i used plants to hide the filter intakes and heaters in my 55gal.i couldn't do that in the 20gal with the lobster cause he pulls everything out!!!!!!

[Crazygar]

Space, they prefer longer tanks with more swimming room the better. Since they are a Characin, having a group of at least 6 is the best way to go as well. Nice fish, get to be about 2-3", they are good sized fish.

Gary

[Spottedpleco]

Oh I've got them! Sold under the same name too. I remember when I was releasing them from the bag, they were spreading their fins at each-other/displaying on the way out of the bag. They are showy and peaceful. I really like them. Here is a video that I took of them:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wN1huT8GhEA

[Crazygar]

Larger groups are usually better. The more fish the less fear. It's a school thing...

Gary