Ornate tetras with shrimp

By the Shrimp Tank Hub editorsUpdated Oct 27, 2026Research-based

The ornate tetra is a deep-bodied, pinkish characin with white tips on its dorsal, anal and pelvic fins. It is Megalamphodus bentosi, long sold as Hyphessobrycon bentosi, from slow tributaries, side arms and forest lakes of the Amazon basin in Brazil and Peru, where it stays near roots, branches and plants in soft, tea-stained water (Seriously Fish, Maidenhead Aquatics). It may also be sold as the bentosi tetra or white-tipped tetra (Seriously Fish). It is very hard to tell from the rosy tetra: Maidenhead Aquatics says most fish sold as rosy tetras are actually M. bentosi, which shows a faint dark mark just behind the gill cover and a paler pink body. Its other relatives include the bleeding heart tetra and the black phantom tetra.

Ornate tetra at a glance

Will ornate tetras eat shrimp?

• Adult shrimp: usually safe. None of our sources tested ornate tetras with shrimp. Aquarium Co-Op says to avoid medium to large fish with cherry shrimp, and a peaceful tetra under 2 inches is at the small end. In our reading, full-grown female cherries are too big for them, but small males and freshly molted shrimp are more exposed.
• Shrimplets: expect them to be eaten. Seriously Fish says wild ornate tetras are likely omnivores that eat small invertebrates and crustaceans, and Neale Monks at Practical Fishkeeping says pretty much any active fish, even one as small as a tetra, views hatchling shrimp as food.
• Eggs and berried females: eggs are safe while carried under the tail.

Dense moss and plants let some babies survive (Aquarium Co-Op), but a group of tetras will thin out each hatch. For similar choices, compare rosy tetras with shrimp, black phantom tetras with shrimp and ember tetras with shrimp, or see the full cherry shrimp tank mates list.

Matching the water

Seriously Fish lists 68–82 °F, pH 5.0–7.5 and 1–12 dGH, and describes the wild water as soft, poorly buffered and brown with tannins. Maidenhead Aquatics gives 24–28 °C, pH 5.5–7.5 and up to 20 dH, and says the fish acclimates to a wide range but looks best in soft, acidic water. Tetra's fishkeeper blog gives 24–27 °C and a wider pH of about 6.0–8.0. The Shrimp Farm lists 65–80 °F, pH 6.8–8.0 and GH 4–8 for cherry-type shrimp. By our comparison, about 75–78 °F, pH 6.8–7.4 and GH 4–8 suits both. Crystal shrimp share the soft water but do best around 68–74 °F (see crystal red shrimp care), so we would not combine them (our reading). See shrimp tank pH, GH and KH explained and shrimp tank temperature.

Tank size and setup

• Size: Seriously Fish says a tank with a base of 36 × 12 in (90 × 30 cm), about 21 US gallons, should be the smallest considered. Tetra's blog gives at least 60 liters (about 16 US gallons); we go with the larger figure.
• Planted, dim, dark substrate: Seriously Fish says ornate tetras color best in a well-furnished tank with live plants and a dark substrate, under fairly dim light with floating plants. Maidenhead Aquatics recommends bogwood and dense planting. Thick moss gives shrimp cover (Aquarium Co-Op). See java moss for shrimp and best plants for shrimp tanks.
• Wood and leaves: Seriously Fish suggests sand, wood roots and branches for shade, and dried leaf litter, removed and replaced every few weeks. Shrimp graze the films that grow on them (our reading). See driftwood and botanicals for shrimp.
• Mature, clean tank: Seriously Fish rates the ornate tetra moderate because it needs a well-established tank and stable water, says it doesn't tolerate a buildup of organic waste, and treats weekly water changes as routine. Maidenhead Aquatics also says the tank must be biologically mature. Shrimp need the same. See how to cycle a shrimp tank and shrimp tank water changes.
• Shrimp-safe intake: a sponge filter or pre-filter keeps shrimplets out of the intake (our suggestion). See shrimp-safe filters.

Group size and behavior

Seriously Fish recommends a mixed-sex group of at least 8 to 10, because males compete for females in temporary pecking orders and show better color and behavior in numbers. Maidenhead Aquatics says 6 is the minimum and 10 or more is better. Males are slimmer and more intensely colored, especially in the dorsal and anal fins; females are larger and fuller-bodied (Seriously Fish, Maidenhead Aquatics). Maidenhead Aquatics says they are easily frightened, so avoid boisterous tankmates.

Other tankmates

Seriously Fish suggests similar-sized tetras, hatchetfish, pencilfish, small catfish and peaceful small to medium cichlids. Maidenhead Aquatics names Corydoras, hatchetfish, Apistogramma, Mikrogeophagus and small Loricariids, and says the deep body suits it to peaceful cichlids that would eat smaller tetras. Cichlids hunt shrimp (Aquarium Co-Op), so in a shrimp tank stick to small catfish and other peaceful small fish. See corydoras with shrimp, otocinclus with shrimp and hatchetfish with shrimp.

Feeding both

Seriously Fish says ornate tetras may get by on dried food but do best on a varied menu that includes live and frozen bloodworm, mosquito larvae and Daphnia. Maidenhead Aquatics lists flake, micropellets and small frozen foods. Feed the tetras first, then drop sinking shrimp food into a planted corner (our suggestion). See best shrimp food.

How to add ornate tetras to a shrimp tank

• Shrimp first. Practical Fishkeeping suggests letting the shrimp colony build up before adding fish; hiding places and well-fed fish reduce losses.
• Consider bigger shrimp. Neale Monks suggests larger shrimp such as Amanos when the fish are likely to eat babies. See Amano shrimp care.
• Acclimate slowly to your water. See how to drip acclimate.
• Watch shrimp numbers for the first few weeks, especially after molts.
• Quarantine the fish separately. Practical Fishkeeping says many fish medications are not safe for invertebrates. If fish get sick, ask a fish veterinarian or an experienced store about treatment that won't harm the shrimp. See how to quarantine and is copper toxic to shrimp.

Common mistakes

• Adding ornate tetras to a new tank; Seriously Fish says never to put them in a biologically immature one.
• Keeping only a few; Seriously Fish suggests a mixed group of 8 to 10.
• Bright light and a bare tank, when Seriously Fish says they color best in dim, planted tanks with a dark substrate.
• Expecting a cherry colony to grow quickly next to a group of tetras.

Track it

Log temperature, pH, GH and TDS on the free Water Parameter Log printable so you can keep the tank in the range both species share.

Frequently asked questions

Will ornate tetras eat cherry shrimp?

They will eat shrimplets. Full-grown cherry shrimp are usually too big for a tetra under 2 inches in our reading, but small or freshly molted shrimp are at some risk. We rate them a moderate risk.

How big do ornate tetras get?

About 1.8 inches (45 mm standard length) per Seriously Fish, or 2 inches (5 cm) overall per Maidenhead Aquatics and Tetra.

What size tank do ornate tetras need?

Seriously Fish says a base of 36 by 12 inches, about 21 US gallons, should be the smallest considered, and the tank must be well established.

How many ornate tetras should I keep?

Seriously Fish suggests a mixed-sex group of at least 8 to 10; Maidenhead Aquatics says at least 6, and 10 or more is better.

What is the difference between ornate and rosy tetras?

They are very similar. Maidenhead Aquatics says most fish sold as rosy tetras are actually ornate tetras (M. bentosi), which have a faint dark mark behind the gill cover and a paler pink body.

Is the ornate tetra the same as the bentosi tetra?

Yes. Megalamphodus bentosi is sold as the ornate, bentosi or white-tipped tetra (Seriously Fish, Maidenhead Aquatics).

Sources: Seriously Fish, Megalamphodus bentosi (ornate tetra) (Megalamphodus bentosi, formerly Hyphessobrycon bentosi; type locality Óbidos, lower Amazon; also sold as Bentos' tetra or white-tipped tetra; rosy tetra most often seen in the trade; sluggish tributaries, side arms and forest lakes near roots, branches and plants; soft, poorly buffered, tannin-stained water; 45 mm SL; base 90 × 30 cm, about 81 L; 20–28 °C, pH 5.0–7.5, 1–12 dGH; rated moderate, needs a well-established tank and stable water; intolerant of organic pollutants, weekly water changes, never into an immature tank; live plants, dark substrate, dim light, floating plants; sand, wood, leaf litter replaced every few weeks; likely omnivorous on small invertebrates and crustacea; varied diet with bloodworm, mosquito larvae, Daphnia, Moina; very peaceful; similar-sized characins, hatchetfish, pencilfish, small catfish, non-predatory small to medium cichlids; mixed-sex group of at least 8–10, temporary dominance hierarchies; males slimmer, smaller, more colorful); Maidenhead Aquatics (fishkeeper.co.uk), Bentosi tetra (Brazil and Peru; 5 cm; 24–28 °C; pH 5.5–7.5, dH up to 20; acclimates widely, best in soft acidic water; biologically mature tank; dim to medium light; bogwood and dense planting; groups of 6, 10+ better; easily frightened; Corydoras, hatchetfish, Apistogramma, Mikrogeophagus, small Loricariids; deep body suits peaceful cichlids; most fish sold as rosy tetras are M. bentosi, which has a faint dark mark behind the operculum and a paler body; also sold as ornate tetra, white-finned form most common; flake, micropellets, frozen foods); Tetra fishkeeper blog, Ornate tetra (Amazon basin; about 5 cm; at least 60 L; 24–27 °C; pH about 6.0–8.0; 5–20 dGH; shoaling; floating plants, darker substrate); Practical Fishkeeping, can I safely add some shrimp? (Neale Monks: almost any active fish, even a small tetra, eats hatchling shrimp; larger shrimp such as Amanos); Practical Fishkeeping, What can I keep with shrimp? (let shrimp numbers build first; hiding places; well-fed fish; many medications unsafe for invertebrates); Aquarium Co-Op, Cherry shrimp tank mates (avoid medium to large fish; cichlids hunt shrimp; moss and plants for baby shrimp); The Shrimp Farm, Red rili shrimp tank set-up and care (cherry-type range 65–80 °F, pH 6.8–8.0, GH 4–8). Risk rating and the shared water range are our reading of these sources.