Rosy tetras with shrimp

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

The rosy tetra is a deep-bodied, pinkish characin with a black-and-white flag on the dorsal fin. It is Megalamphodus rosaceus, long sold as Hyphessobrycon rosaceus, from the Essequibo, Corantijn and Suriname river systems of Guyana, Suriname and Brazil, where it lives in sluggish, tea-stained forest tributaries (Seriously Fish, Maidenhead Aquatics). Nearly all rosy tetras in the trade are mass bred on commercial farms (Seriously Fish). It is so close to the ornate tetra (M. bentosi) that it was once treated as a subspecies; Seriously Fish says the ornate has a dark mark just behind the gill cover that the rosy lacks. Its relatives include the bleeding heart tetra and the black phantom tetra.

Rosy tetra at a glance

Will rosy tetras eat shrimp?

• Adult shrimp: usually safe. None of our sources tested rosy tetras with shrimp. Aquarium Co-Op says to avoid medium to large fish with cherry shrimp, and a shy 1.6-inch tetra 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 rosy tetras feed chiefly on small invertebrates, 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 black phantom tetras with shrimp, lemon tetras with shrimp and ember tetras with shrimp, or see the full cherry shrimp tank mates list.

Matching the water

Seriously Fish lists 75–82 °F, pH 5.5–7.5 and 1–12 dGH, and says rosy tetras survive in slightly alkaline water but color best in acidic conditions. Maidenhead Aquatics gives 24–28 °C, pH 5.5–7.5 and up to 20 dH, and says they acclimate to a wide range. Cherry-type shrimp tolerate 65–85 °F, pH 6.2–8.0 and GH 4–8 (The Shrimp Farm). By our comparison, about 75–78 °F, pH 6.5–7.2 and GH 4–8 suits both. Crystal shrimp share the soft, acidic water but do best around 68–74 °F (see crystal red shrimp care), below the rosy tetra's range, 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 small group needs a tank of about 24 × 15 × 12 in, about 18 US gallons.
• Heavily planted, dim: Seriously Fish says rosy tetras suit a heavily planted tank and turn washed out and shy in a sparse one; Maidenhead Aquatics recommends dark furnishings, bogwood, dense planting and dim to medium light, with floating plants to diffuse brighter lamps. Thick moss gives shrimp cover (Aquarium Co-Op). See java moss for shrimp and best plants for shrimp tanks.
• Wood and leaves: Seriously Fish's biotope uses river sand, driftwood, roots and dried beech or oak leaves, replaced every few weeks before they rot. Shrimp graze the films that grow on them (our reading). See driftwood and botanicals for shrimp.
• Mature tank: Maidenhead Aquatics says the tank must be biologically mature, and shrimp need the same. See how to cycle a shrimp tank.
• 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 and Maidenhead Aquatics both say to keep at least 6, and preferably 10 or more; the fish feel more secure and form a better shoal. With several males present you'll see rival males flaring their fins at each other (Seriously Fish). Mature males develop extended dorsal and anal fins and are slimmer and more colorful; females are fuller-bodied (Seriously Fish, Maidenhead Aquatics). Maidenhead Aquatics says they are easily frightened, so avoid boisterous tankmates.

Other tankmates

Seriously Fish suggests other small South American tetras, pencilfish, Apistogramma and other dwarf cichlids, Corydoras and small Loricariids; Maidenhead Aquatics adds hatchetfish and Mikrogeophagus. Both note the deep body makes rosy tetras safe with larger cichlids such as angelfish. 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 rosy tetras are unfussy and recommends a mix of dried flakes and granules with small live and frozen foods. Maidenhead Aquatics lists flake, micropellets and small frozen foods such as bloodworm and mosquito larvae. Feed the tetras first, then drop sinking shrimp food into a planted corner (our suggestion). See best shrimp food.

How to add rosy 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

• Expecting a cherry colony to grow quickly next to a group of tetras.
• Keeping only two or three; Seriously Fish and Maidenhead Aquatics say at least 6.
• A bare, brightly lit tank, which Seriously Fish says leaves them pale and shy.
• Keeping crystal shrimp at the rosy tetra's warm temperatures.

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 rosy tetras eat cherry shrimp?

They will eat shrimplets. Full-grown cherry shrimp are usually too big for a 1.6-inch tetra in our reading, but small or freshly molted shrimp are at some risk. We rate them a moderate risk.

How big do rosy tetras get?

About 1.6 inches (40 mm standard length) per Seriously Fish, or 2 inches (5 cm) overall per Maidenhead Aquatics.

What size tank do rosy tetras need?

A base of at least 24 by 15 inches, about 18 US gallons, for a small group (Seriously Fish).

How many rosy tetras should I keep?

At least 6, preferably 10 or more (Seriously Fish, Maidenhead Aquatics).

What is the difference between rosy and ornate tetras?

They are very similar. Seriously Fish says the ornate tetra (M. bentosi) has a dark mark just behind the gill cover that the rosy tetra lacks.

Can rosy tetras live with crystal shrimp?

The soft, acidic water overlaps, but rosy tetras want 75 to 82 °F, warmer than crystal shrimp prefer, and they will eat baby shrimp. We would keep crystal shrimp in their own tank.

Sources: Seriously Fish, Megalamphodus rosaceus (rosy tetra) (Megalamphodus rosaceus, formerly Hyphessobrycon rosaceus; Guyana, Suriname and Brazil, Essequibo, Corantijn and Suriname rivers; mass bred on commercial farms; sluggish forest tributaries with tannin-stained, very acidic water; 40 mm SL; base 60 × 38 cm, about 18 US gal; 24–28 °C, pH 5.5–7.5, more colorful in acidic water, 1–12 dGH; sand, driftwood, roots, dried leaves, dim light, or heavily planted; shy and pale in sparse tanks; feeds chiefly on small invertebrates in nature, unfussy; very peaceful, won't compete with boisterous or much larger fish; South American tankmates, safe with angelfish; at least 6, preferably 10+; males flare fins, develop extended dorsal and anal fins; once a subspecies of M. bentosi, which has a dark mark behind the operculum); Maidenhead Aquatics (fishkeeper.co.uk), Rosy tetra (Brazil, Guyana and Suriname; 5 cm; 24–28 °C; pH 5.5–7.5, dH up to 20; dim to medium light; heavily vegetated sluggish tributaries; dark décor, bogwood, dense planting, mature tank; groups of 6, 10+ better; easily frightened, avoid boisterous fish; Corydoras, hatchetfish, Apistogramma, Mikrogeophagus, small Loricariids; flake, micropellets, bloodworm, mosquito larvae; males brighter with longer dorsal and anal fins); 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 65–85 °F, pH 6.2–8.0, GH 4–8). Risk rating and the shared water range are our reading of these sources.