Hummingbird Tetra (Trochilocharax ornatus)
A barely 2 cm jewel from Amazonian Peru — internally fertilising, nearly scaleless, and shimmering with iridescent colour in the right light.
Will it live with a Hummingbird Tetra?
We compare each fish against your hummingbird tetra on temperament, size, water parameters and swimming zone. Set your tank size and filter the results.
- Assassin Snail✅ CompatiblePeaceful · 3 cm · Easy care · 22–26 °C (72–79 °F)
- Both are peaceful; temperature, pH and hardness ranges all overlap and neither outsizes the other enough to be a threat.
- Keep Hummingbird Tetra in a shoal of 8+ or it gets stressed and nippy.
- Celestial Pearl Danio✅ CompatiblePeaceful · 2 cm · Medium care · 22–26 °C (72–79 °F)
- Compatible on the things that matter: shared water near 22–26 °C, workable temperaments, and no predator-and-prey size gap.
- Both favour the middle of the tank — offer enough cover so they aren't always in each other's space.
- Keep Hummingbird Tetra in a shoal of 8+ or it gets stressed and nippy.
- Keep Celestial Pearl Danio in a shoal of 6+ or it gets stressed and nippy.
- Cherry Shrimp✅ CompatiblePeaceful · 3 cm · Easy care · 18–28 °C (64–82 °F)
- Compatible on the things that matter: shared water near 22–27 °C, workable temperaments, and no predator-and-prey size gap.
- Keep Hummingbird Tetra in a shoal of 8+ or it gets stressed and nippy.
- Keep Cherry Shrimp in a shoal of 10+ or it gets stressed and nippy.
- Chili Rasbora✅ CompatiblePeaceful · 2 cm · Medium care · 22–28 °C (72–82 °F)
- Both are peaceful; temperature, pH and hardness ranges all overlap and neither outsizes the other enough to be a threat.
- Both favour the middle of the tank — offer enough cover so they aren't always in each other's space.
- Keep Hummingbird Tetra in a shoal of 8+ or it gets stressed and nippy.
- Keep Chili Rasbora in a shoal of 8+ or it gets stressed and nippy.
- Crystal Red Shrimp✅ CompatiblePeaceful · 2.5 cm · Hard care · 20–24 °C (68–75 °F)
- Compatible on the things that matter: shared water near 22–24 °C, workable temperaments, and no predator-and-prey size gap.
- Keep Hummingbird Tetra in a shoal of 8+ or it gets stressed and nippy.
- Keep Crystal Red Shrimp in a shoal of 10+ or it gets stressed and nippy.
- Dawn Tetra✅ CompatiblePeaceful · 2.5 cm · Easy care · 22–28 °C (72–82 °F)
- Compatible on the things that matter: shared water near 22–27 °C, workable temperaments, and no predator-and-prey size gap.
- Both favour the middle of the tank — offer enough cover so they aren't always in each other's space.
- Keep Hummingbird Tetra in a shoal of 8+ or it gets stressed and nippy.
- Keep Dawn Tetra in a shoal of 8+ or it gets stressed and nippy.
- Dwarf Spotted Rasbora✅ CompatiblePeaceful · 2.5 cm · Medium care · 23–28 °C (73–82 °F)
- Compatible on the things that matter: shared water near 23–27 °C, workable temperaments, and no predator-and-prey size gap.
- Both favour the middle of the tank — offer enough cover so they aren't always in each other's space.
- Keep Hummingbird Tetra in a shoal of 8+ or it gets stressed and nippy.
- Keep Dwarf Spotted Rasbora in a shoal of 8+ or it gets stressed and nippy.
- Ember Tetra✅ CompatiblePeaceful · 2 cm · Easy care · 24–28 °C (75–82 °F)
- Both are peaceful, and their water overlaps around 24–27 °C — no size, zone or temperament conflicts.
- Both favour the middle of the tank — offer enough cover so they aren't always in each other's space.
- Keep Hummingbird Tetra in a shoal of 8+ or it gets stressed and nippy.
- Keep Ember Tetra in a shoal of 8+ or it gets stressed and nippy.
- Emerald Dwarf Danio✅ CompatiblePeaceful · 2 cm · Medium care · 20–24 °C (68–75 °F)
- Both are peaceful, and their water overlaps around 22–24 °C — no size, zone or temperament conflicts.
- Both favour the middle of the tank — offer enough cover so they aren't always in each other's space.
- Keep Hummingbird Tetra in a shoal of 8+ or it gets stressed and nippy.
- Keep Emerald Dwarf Danio in a shoal of 8+ or it gets stressed and nippy.
- Exclamation Point Rasbora✅ CompatiblePeaceful · 2 cm · Medium care · 22–28 °C (72–82 °F)
- Both are peaceful; temperature, pH and hardness ranges all overlap and neither outsizes the other enough to be a threat.
- Both favour the middle of the tank — offer enough cover so they aren't always in each other's space.
- Keep Hummingbird Tetra in a shoal of 8+ or it gets stressed and nippy.
- Keep Exclamation Point Rasbora in a shoal of 8+ or it gets stressed and nippy.
- Glowlight Danio✅ CompatiblePeaceful · 3 cm · Easy care · 22–26 °C (72–79 °F)
- Both are peaceful; temperature, pH and hardness ranges all overlap and neither outsizes the other enough to be a threat.
- Both favour the middle of the tank — offer enough cover so they aren't always in each other's space.
- Keep Hummingbird Tetra in a shoal of 8+ or it gets stressed and nippy.
- Keep Glowlight Danio in a shoal of 8+ or it gets stressed and nippy.
- Gold Ring Danio✅ CompatiblePeaceful · 3 cm · Easy care · 18–26 °C (64–79 °F)
- Both are peaceful, and their water overlaps around 22–26 °C — no size, zone or temperament conflicts.
- Both favour the middle of the tank — offer enough cover so they aren't always in each other's space.
- Keep Hummingbird Tetra in a shoal of 8+ or it gets stressed and nippy.
- Keep Gold Ring Danio in a shoal of 8+ or it gets stressed and nippy.
- Green Neon Tetra✅ CompatiblePeaceful · 2.5 cm · Hard care · 24–28 °C (75–82 °F)
- Both are peaceful, and their water overlaps around 24–27 °C — no size, zone or temperament conflicts.
- Both favour the middle of the tank — offer enough cover so they aren't always in each other's space.
- Keep Hummingbird Tetra in a shoal of 8+ or it gets stressed and nippy.
- Keep Green Neon Tetra in a shoal of 8+ or it gets stressed and nippy.
- Lambchop Rasbora✅ CompatiblePeaceful · 3 cm · Medium care · 23–28 °C (73–82 °F)
- Both are peaceful; temperature, pH and hardness ranges all overlap and neither outsizes the other enough to be a threat.
- Both favour the middle of the tank — offer enough cover so they aren't always in each other's space.
- Keep Hummingbird Tetra in a shoal of 8+ or it gets stressed and nippy.
- Keep Lambchop Rasbora in a shoal of 6+ or it gets stressed and nippy.
- Malaysian Trumpet Snail✅ CompatiblePeaceful · 3 cm · Easy care · 21–27 °C (70–81 °F)
- Both are peaceful, and their water overlaps around 22–27 °C — no size, zone or temperament conflicts.
- Keep Hummingbird Tetra in a shoal of 8+ or it gets stressed and nippy.
- Neon Blue Rasbora✅ CompatiblePeaceful · 2.5 cm · Medium care · 23–26 °C (73–79 °F)
- Both are peaceful; temperature, pH and hardness ranges all overlap and neither outsizes the other enough to be a threat.
- Both favour the middle of the tank — offer enough cover so they aren't always in each other's space.
- Keep Hummingbird Tetra in a shoal of 8+ or it gets stressed and nippy.
- Keep Neon Blue Rasbora in a shoal of 10+ or it gets stressed and nippy.
- Neon Green Rasbora✅ CompatiblePeaceful · 2 cm · Easy care · 22–26 °C (72–79 °F)
- Both are peaceful, and their water overlaps around 22–26 °C — no size, zone or temperament conflicts.
- Both favour the middle of the tank — offer enough cover so they aren't always in each other's space.
- Keep Hummingbird Tetra in a shoal of 8+ or it gets stressed and nippy.
- Keep Neon Green Rasbora in a shoal of 10+ or it gets stressed and nippy.
- Neon Tetra✅ CompatiblePeaceful · 3 cm · Easy care · 20–26 °C (68–79 °F)
- Both are peaceful; temperature, pH and hardness ranges all overlap and neither outsizes the other enough to be a threat.
- Both favour the middle of the tank — offer enough cover so they aren't always in each other's space.
- Keep Hummingbird Tetra in a shoal of 8+ or it gets stressed and nippy.
- Keep Neon Tetra in a shoal of 6+ or it gets stressed and nippy.
- Nerite Snail✅ CompatiblePeaceful · 2.5 cm · Easy care · 22–28 °C (72–82 °F)
- Compatible on the things that matter: shared water near 22–27 °C, workable temperaments, and no predator-and-prey size gap.
- Keep Hummingbird Tetra in a shoal of 8+ or it gets stressed and nippy.
- Ramshorn Snail✅ CompatiblePeaceful · 2 cm · Easy care · 20–28 °C (68–82 °F)
- Both are peaceful, and their water overlaps around 22–27 °C — no size, zone or temperament conflicts.
- Keep Hummingbird Tetra in a shoal of 8+ or it gets stressed and nippy.
- Red Lip Nerite Snail✅ CompatiblePeaceful · 2 cm · Easy care · 22–28 °C (72–82 °F)
- Compatible on the things that matter: shared water near 22–27 °C, workable temperaments, and no predator-and-prey size gap.
- Keep Hummingbird Tetra in a shoal of 8+ or it gets stressed and nippy.
- Ruby Tetra✅ CompatiblePeaceful · 2 cm · Medium care · 23–28 °C (73–82 °F)
- Both are peaceful; temperature, pH and hardness ranges all overlap and neither outsizes the other enough to be a threat.
- Both favour the middle of the tank — offer enough cover so they aren't always in each other's space.
- Keep Hummingbird Tetra in a shoal of 8+ or it gets stressed and nippy.
- Keep Ruby Tetra in a shoal of 8+ or it gets stressed and nippy.
- Strawberry Rasbora✅ CompatiblePeaceful · 2 cm · Medium care · 23–28 °C (73–82 °F)
- Compatible on the things that matter: shared water near 23–27 °C, workable temperaments, and no predator-and-prey size gap.
- Both favour the middle of the tank — offer enough cover so they aren't always in each other's space.
- Keep Hummingbird Tetra in a shoal of 8+ or it gets stressed and nippy.
- Keep Strawberry Rasbora in a shoal of 8+ or it gets stressed and nippy.
- Tucano Tetra✅ CompatiblePeaceful · 1.7 cm · Hard care · 23–28 °C (73–82 °F)
- Both are peaceful, and their water overlaps around 23–27 °C — no size, zone or temperament conflicts.
- Both favour the middle of the tank — offer enough cover so they aren't always in each other's space.
- Keep Hummingbird Tetra in a shoal of 8+ or it gets stressed and nippy.
- Keep Tucano Tetra in a shoal of 10+ or it gets stressed and nippy.
- Black Darter Tetra⚠️ With cautionSemi-aggressive · 4 cm · Hard care · 21–28 °C (70–82 °F)
- Expect Black Darter Tetra to harass Hummingbird Tetra at times; give dense cover and watch them at feeding.
- Hummingbird Tetra is small enough to tempt Black Darter Tetra; only risk it in a densely planted setup with hiding spots.
- Keep Hummingbird Tetra in a shoal of 8+ or it gets stressed and nippy.
- Black Ruby Barb⚠️ With cautionSemi-aggressive · 6 cm · Easy care · 22–26 °C (72–79 °F)
- Expect Black Ruby Barb to harass Hummingbird Tetra at times; give dense cover and watch them at feeding.
- Black Ruby Barb may hunt Hummingbird Tetra, fry or shrimplets — safest in a heavily planted tank.
- Your 75 L tank is below the ~100 L this pairing really wants — crowding raises aggression.
- Keep Hummingbird Tetra in a shoal of 8+ or it gets stressed and nippy.
- Keep Black Ruby Barb in a shoal of 6+ or it gets stressed and nippy.
- Black Skirt Tetra⚠️ With cautionSemi-aggressive · 6 cm · Easy care · 20–26 °C (68–79 °F)
- Black Skirt Tetra clearly outsizes Hummingbird Tetra and is semi-aggressive; risky unless the tank is big and well-planted.
- Hummingbird Tetra is small enough to tempt Black Skirt Tetra; only risk it in a densely planted setup with hiding spots.
- Keep Hummingbird Tetra in a shoal of 8+ or it gets stressed and nippy.
- Keep Black Skirt Tetra in a shoal of 6+ or it gets stressed and nippy.
- Blue Turbo Snail⚠️ With cautionPeaceful · 5 cm · Medium care · 25–30 °C (77–86 °F)
- Different pH ranges (5.5–7 vs 7.5–8.5); doable if you sit in the shared band, but not ideal long-term.
- Keep Hummingbird Tetra in a shoal of 8+ or it gets stressed and nippy.
- Desert Goby⚠️ With cautionSemi-aggressive · 6 cm · Easy care · 18–28 °C (64–82 °F)
- Expect Desert Goby to harass Hummingbird Tetra at times; give dense cover and watch them at feeding.
- Desert Goby may hunt Hummingbird Tetra, fry or shrimplets — safest in a heavily planted tank.
- Keep Hummingbird Tetra in a shoal of 8+ or it gets stressed and nippy.
- Dwarf Chain Loach⚠️ With cautionPeaceful · 6 cm · Medium care · 24–29 °C (75–84 °F)
- Your 75 L tank is below the ~80 L this pairing really wants — crowding raises aggression.
- Keep Hummingbird Tetra in a shoal of 8+ or it gets stressed and nippy.
- Keep Dwarf Chain Loach in a shoal of 6+ or it gets stressed and nippy.
- Endler's Livebearer⚠️ With cautionPeaceful · 3 cm · Easy care · 22–28 °C (72–82 °F)
- Water hardness preferences differ (Hummingbird Tetra 1–8 vs Endler's Livebearer 10–25 dGH).
- Keep Hummingbird Tetra in a shoal of 8+ or it gets stressed and nippy.
- Keep Endler's Livebearer in a shoal of 6+ or it gets stressed and nippy.
- GloFish Tetra⚠️ With cautionSemi-aggressive · 6 cm · Easy care · 21–28 °C (70–82 °F)
- GloFish Tetra clearly outsizes Hummingbird Tetra and is semi-aggressive; risky unless the tank is big and well-planted.
- Hummingbird Tetra is small enough to tempt GloFish Tetra; only risk it in a densely planted setup with hiding spots.
- Keep Hummingbird Tetra in a shoal of 8+ or it gets stressed and nippy.
- Keep GloFish Tetra in a shoal of 6+ or it gets stressed and nippy.
- Morse Code Corydoras⚠️ With cautionPeaceful · 5 cm · Medium care · 23–26 °C (73–79 °F)
- Your 75 L tank is below the ~80 L this pairing really wants — crowding raises aggression.
- Keep Hummingbird Tetra in a shoal of 8+ or it gets stressed and nippy.
- Keep Morse Code Corydoras in a shoal of 6+ or it gets stressed and nippy.
- Odessa Barb⚠️ With cautionSemi-aggressive · 6 cm · Easy care · 20–26 °C (68–79 °F)
- Expect Odessa Barb to harass Hummingbird Tetra at times; give dense cover and watch them at feeding.
- Odessa Barb may hunt Hummingbird Tetra, fry or shrimplets — safest in a heavily planted tank.
- Keep Hummingbird Tetra in a shoal of 8+ or it gets stressed and nippy.
- Keep Odessa Barb in a shoal of 6+ or it gets stressed and nippy.
- Pea Puffer⚠️ With cautionSemi-aggressive · 2.5 cm · Medium care · 24–28 °C (75–82 °F)
- Expect Pea Puffer to harass Hummingbird Tetra at times; give dense cover and watch them at feeding.
- Keep Hummingbird Tetra in a shoal of 8+ or it gets stressed and nippy.
- Rainbow Emperor Tetra⚠️ With cautionSemi-aggressive · 3.6 cm · Medium care · 22–28 °C (72–82 °F)
- Rainbow Emperor Tetra clearly outsizes Hummingbird Tetra and is semi-aggressive; risky unless the tank is big and well-planted.
- Watch for Rainbow Emperor Tetra picking off any hummingbird tetra small enough to fit in its mouth.
- Keep Hummingbird Tetra in a shoal of 8+ or it gets stressed and nippy.
- Keep Rainbow Emperor Tetra in a shoal of 8+ or it gets stressed and nippy.
- Scarlet Badis⚠️ With cautionSemi-aggressive · 2 cm · Medium care · 22–27 °C (72–81 °F)
- Scarlet Badis and Hummingbird Tetra are close in size, but the semi-aggressive one tends to dominate — add hummingbird tetra in a group to spread the pressure.
- Keep Hummingbird Tetra in a shoal of 8+ or it gets stressed and nippy.
- Serpae Tetra⚠️ With cautionSemi-aggressive · 4 cm · Easy care · 23–28 °C (73–82 °F)
- Serpae Tetra is semi-aggressive and may chase or nip the smaller Hummingbird Tetra — plant heavily and break up sight lines.
- Hummingbird Tetra is small enough to tempt Serpae Tetra; only risk it in a densely planted setup with hiding spots.
- Keep Hummingbird Tetra in a shoal of 8+ or it gets stressed and nippy.
- Keep Serpae Tetra in a shoal of 6+ or it gets stressed and nippy.
- Silvertip Tetra⚠️ With cautionSemi-aggressive · 5 cm · Easy care · 22–28 °C (72–82 °F)
- Silvertip Tetra clearly outsizes Hummingbird Tetra and is semi-aggressive; risky unless the tank is big and well-planted.
- Hummingbird Tetra is small enough to tempt Silvertip Tetra; only risk it in a densely planted setup with hiding spots.
- Keep Hummingbird Tetra in a shoal of 8+ or it gets stressed and nippy.
- Keep Silvertip Tetra in a shoal of 6+ or it gets stressed and nippy.
- Tiger Badis⚠️ With cautionSemi-aggressive · 4 cm · Medium care · 22–24 °C (72–75 °F)
- Tiger Badis clearly outsizes Hummingbird Tetra and is semi-aggressive; risky unless the tank is big and well-planted.
- Watch for Tiger Badis picking off any hummingbird tetra small enough to fit in its mouth.
- Keep Hummingbird Tetra in a shoal of 8+ or it gets stressed and nippy.
- Alligator Gar⛔ Not recommendedAggressive · 250 cm · Hard care · 24–28 °C (75–82 °F)
- Size gap is too large (250 vs 1.8 cm): Alligator Gar will treat Hummingbird Tetra as food.
- Alligator Gar clearly outsizes Hummingbird Tetra and is aggressive; risky unless the tank is big and well-planted.
- Your 75 L tank is below the ~3785 L this pairing really wants — crowding raises aggression.
- Keep Hummingbird Tetra in a shoal of 8+ or it gets stressed and nippy.
- Clown Knifefish⛔ Not recommendedAggressive · 90 cm · Hard care · 24–28 °C (75–82 °F)
- Clown Knifefish (90 cm) is big enough to swallow the 1.8 cm Hummingbird Tetra whole.
- Clown Knifefish is aggressive and may chase or nip the smaller Hummingbird Tetra — plant heavily and break up sight lines.
- Your 75 L tank is below the ~750 L this pairing really wants — crowding raises aggression.
- Keep Hummingbird Tetra in a shoal of 8+ or it gets stressed and nippy.
- Fire Eel⛔ Not recommendedSemi-aggressive · 100 cm · Medium care · 24–28 °C (75–82 °F)
- Fire Eel (100 cm) is big enough to swallow the 1.8 cm Hummingbird Tetra whole.
- Expect Fire Eel to harass Hummingbird Tetra at times; give dense cover and watch them at feeding.
- Your 75 L tank is below the ~380 L this pairing really wants — crowding raises aggression.
- Keep Hummingbird Tetra in a shoal of 8+ or it gets stressed and nippy.
- Koi⛔ Not recommendedPeaceful · 90 cm · Medium care · 4–28 °C (39–82 °F)
- Hummingbird Tetra is bite-sized to a 90 cm koi — it will be eaten.
- Water hardness preferences differ (Hummingbird Tetra 1–8 vs Koi 9–18 dGH).
- Your 75 L tank is below the ~3800 L this pairing really wants — crowding raises aggression.
- Keep Hummingbird Tetra in a shoal of 8+ or it gets stressed and nippy.
- Redtail Catfish⛔ Not recommendedAggressive · 120 cm · Hard care · 24–27 °C (75–81 °F)
- Redtail Catfish (120 cm) is big enough to swallow the 1.8 cm Hummingbird Tetra whole.
- Expect Redtail Catfish to harass Hummingbird Tetra at times; give dense cover and watch them at feeding.
- Your 75 L tank is below the ~5700 L this pairing really wants — crowding raises aggression.
- Keep Hummingbird Tetra in a shoal of 8+ or it gets stressed and nippy.
- Spotted Gar⛔ Not recommendedAggressive · 90 cm · Hard care · 18–26 °C (64–79 °F)
- Spotted Gar (90 cm) is big enough to swallow the 1.8 cm Hummingbird Tetra whole.
- Spotted Gar clearly outsizes Hummingbird Tetra and is aggressive; risky unless the tank is big and well-planted.
- Your 75 L tank is below the ~600 L this pairing really wants — crowding raises aggression.
- Keep Hummingbird Tetra in a shoal of 8+ or it gets stressed and nippy.
- Wels Catfish⛔ Not recommendedAggressive · 300 cm · Hard care · 15–25 °C (59–77 °F)
- Hummingbird Tetra is bite-sized to a 300 cm predatory wels catfish — it will be eaten.
- Wels Catfish clearly outsizes Hummingbird Tetra and is aggressive; risky unless the tank is big and well-planted.
- Your 75 L tank is below the ~20000 L this pairing really wants — crowding raises aggression.
- Keep Hummingbird Tetra in a shoal of 8+ or it gets stressed and nippy.
- Wolf Cichlid⛔ Not recommendedAggressive · 72 cm · Hard care · 24–30 °C (75–86 °F)
- Hummingbird Tetra is bite-sized to a 72 cm predatory wolf cichlid — it will be eaten.
- Wolf Cichlid clearly outsizes Hummingbird Tetra and is aggressive; risky unless the tank is big and well-planted.
- Your 75 L tank is below the ~760 L this pairing really wants — crowding raises aggression.
- Keep Hummingbird Tetra in a shoal of 8+ or it gets stressed and nippy.
Compatibility is computed from each species' care data — a strong starting point, not a guarantee. Individual temperament varies, so always introduce new fish slowly and watch them.
Hummingbird Tetra care specs
- Care level
- Hard
- Breeding
- Very Hard
- Max size
- 1.8 cm (0.7 in)
- Min tank size
- 40 L (10.6 gal)
- Temperature
- 22–27 °C (72–81 °F)
- pH
- 5.5–7
- Hardness
- 1–8 dGH
- Lifespan
- 2–4 years
- Diet
- Carnivore
- Swim level
- Middle
- Group size
- 8+ (shoaling)
- Family
- Characidae
- Origin
- South America — Loreto region, northwestern Amazonian Peru
What is a Hummingbird Tetra?
The Hummingbird Tetra (Trochilocharax ornatus) is one of the smallest characids available in the aquarium hobby, reaching a maximum of just 1.8 cm (0.7 in) in body length. Formally described in 2010, it is the sole representative of its genus and sits within the subfamily Stevardiinae — a clade notable for internal fertilisation, making it a genuine biological rarity among tetras. Rather than broadcasting eggs freely in the water column, sperm transfer is direct between the sexes before the eggs are laid. The common name nods to the shifting iridescence that plays across the body under good directional lighting: a liquid mix of silver, pale green and reddish-orange that makes a school appear almost luminescent against a dark substrate or tannin-stained water. Despite its Hard rating, the species has a devoted following among nano-tank specialists and biotope enthusiasts who prize its uniqueness as much as its beauty.
Where does the Hummingbird Tetra come from?
The Hummingbird Tetra is endemic to northwestern Amazonian Peru, specifically the Loreto region around Iquitos. Wild specimens are collected from slow-moving, heavily shaded forest streams and flooded-forest margins where the water is deeply stained with tannins from decaying leaf litter and submerged wood. These blackwater environments are soft (1–8 dGH), acidic (pH 5.5–7.0), warm (22–27 °C / 72–81 °F), low in dissolved minerals, and receive only dappled light through the forest canopy. Understanding this origin is the single most important piece of information for anyone hoping to keep the species successfully: almost every care failure traces back to water that is too hard, too alkaline, or too brightly lit.
What size tank does a Hummingbird Tetra need?
A minimum of 40 litres (approximately 10 gallons) is needed to house a group of eight or more comfortably and to maintain the water stability that such a sensitive species requires. Despite their tiny size, this is not a fish that thrives in a cramped nano cube — the schooling behaviour needs horizontal swimming room, and a slightly larger volume provides the buffering capacity to absorb small fluctuations in temperature and chemistry.
Choose a tank that is longer than it is tall, preferably with a dark substrate of fine sand. Dense planting with slow-growing stem plants or Java fern, a layer of floating plants to diffuse light, and a generous scatter of dried leaf litter (Indian almond, oak) will replicate the tannin-rich environment of the Loreto streams and make the fish visibly more confident and vibrant in colour. Gentle filtration — a small sponge filter is ideal — provides biological stability without the current strength that would stress such a small fish. A secure lid is advisable, as micro-fish can exit through surprisingly small gaps.
What water parameters does a Hummingbird Tetra need?
- Temperature: 22–27 °C (72–81 °F) — stable is more important than any precise point in that range.
- pH: 5.5–7.0, ideally toward the lower end for long-term health and breeding.
- Hardness: 1–8 dGH; soft, mineral-light water is essential and non-negotiable.
Many municipal tap supplies are too hard and too alkaline. Hobbyists keeping this species successfully typically use RO water remineralised to a low hardness target, or naturally soft rain or rain-equivalent water. Regular partial water changes of 20–25 % weekly maintain low nitrate and keep the chemistry consistent. Any rapid shift in pH or hardness is acutely dangerous for a fish this small; always temperature-match and dechlorinate replacement water before adding it.
What do Hummingbird Tetras eat?
The Hummingbird Tetra is a carnivore and a micropredator in the wild, feeding on zooplankton, tiny invertebrates and insect larvae. In the aquarium it must be offered appropriately sized live or frozen prey: Artemia nauplii (newly hatched brine shrimp), micro-worms, Daphnia, Moina, and vinegar eels are all accepted and form the backbone of a good diet. High-quality micro-pellets or finely crushed flake can serve as a supplement, but a diet built primarily on dry food will produce pale, sluggish fish with shortened lifespans. Feed at least once daily — twice is better — and offer only as much as is consumed within two to three minutes to avoid fouling the water.
Are Hummingbird Tetras peaceful — and what fish can live with them?
Hummingbird Tetras are entirely peaceful and pose no threat to any tankmate. The threat runs the other way: at under 2 cm, they can be out-competed for food by virtually any larger fish, and they risk being eaten by anything with a mouth big enough to swallow them. Suitable companions, if you choose to keep them in a community rather than a species-only tank, are restricted to other micro-fish of similar size — smaller rasboras, micro-danios, dwarf corydoras, or similarly sized Stevardiinae — and peaceful, small invertebrates such as neocaridina shrimp in harder water or caridina shrimp matched to the same soft, acidic parameters.
A species-only setup in a well-planted biotope aquarium is the most reliable approach for success, and it allows the full, unhurried iridescent display the fish produces when it feels secure. For a curated list of size- and parameter-matched companions, see Hummingbird Tetra tank mates.
How do you tell a male from a female Hummingbird Tetra?
Sexual dimorphism is present but subtle, which is unsurprising given that this species practises internal fertilisation and therefore requires close contact between sexes. Males can be identified by a single modified scale at the base of the caudal fin, which is believed to play a role in sperm transfer, and by noticeably brighter iridescent colouration — the reddish-orange suffusion at the caudal base is more intense in males. Females are marginally plumper through the body, particularly when gravid, and display plainer, less vivid colouration. Sexing is easiest in a well-lit tank when fish are in good condition and actively displaying.
How do Hummingbird Tetras breed?
Breeding is rated Very Hard and demands a dedicated setup. Because fertilisation is internal, the male must make direct contact with the female; successful pairings in aquaria require fish that are in prime condition, well-fed on live foods, and kept in water that closely matches the soft, acidic parameters of the wild range. Spawning has been achieved by experienced specialists, typically in small, dimly lit, heavily planted tanks with minimal flow, using RO-based water in the lower pH range (5.5–6.5) and temperature around 25–26 °C (77–79 °F).
Eggs are deposited among fine-leaved plants or moss; parental care is absent after spawning and eggs or fry may be consumed if adults are not removed. Fry are extremely small and require infusoria or the finest-grade live foods in their first days before graduating to Artemia nauplii. Conditioning adult pairs for several weeks with a varied live-food diet before any breeding attempt significantly improves outcomes.
What diseases affect Hummingbird Tetras?
The species is susceptible to the same diseases that affect most small characids: velvet (Piscinoodinium sp., presenting as a golden-dusty sheen), ich (white pinpoint spots), bacterial fin rot linked to water-quality lapses, and general wasting or emaciation from an inadequate diet or intestinal parasites introduced with live food. Because the fish is so small, any illness progresses quickly and leaves less margin for intervention than with larger species.
Prevention is overwhelmingly more effective than treatment:
- Maintain consistently soft, acidic, warm water with low nitrates.
- Quarantine all new fish and plants for at least four weeks before introduction.
- Source live foods from trusted suppliers or culture your own to minimise pathogen exposure.
- Observe the group daily — a fish hanging at the surface, refusing food, or showing clamped fins is a warning sign that requires immediate attention.
Health note: medication dosing and specific disease diagnosis are beyond the scope of a care profile. Treatments appropriate for larger fish can be acutely toxic at standard doses to a species this small. For sick fish, confirm symptoms with a reputable aquatic veterinary or fish-health source and adjust dosing for body mass before medicating.
How long do Hummingbird Tetras live?
Under good care, expect a lifespan of 2–4 years. The shorter end of that range is more typical when water quality or diet is suboptimal; the upper end is achievable in a stable, well-managed species tank with consistent live or frozen feeding and carefully maintained soft, acidic water. Because captive-bred specimens are still uncommon and wild-caught individuals dominate the trade, the age of a fish at purchase is often unknown — settling new arrivals carefully and investing immediately in optimal conditions gives the best chance of seeing the full span of their short but spectacular lives.
Frequently asked questions
What do Hummingbird Tetras eat?
They are micropredators that need small live or frozen foods — Artemia nauplii, micro-worms, Daphnia, and Moina — offered daily. High-quality micro-pellets or crushed flake can supplement, but a diet relying solely on dry food produces pale, unhealthy fish.
Why is the Hummingbird Tetra rated Hard care?
Three factors combine — it is tiny (under 2 cm) and therefore sensitive to water-quality swings; it needs pristine, soft, acidic water that many tap supplies cannot provide without conditioning; and it demands daily live or frozen food rather than dry-food convenience.
What you need to keep a hummingbird tetra
The baseline is a heated, filtered 40 L+ tank: a reliable heater to hold 22–27 °C (72–81 °F), a gentle filter that won't batter a hummingbird tetra in the current, and a tight-fitting lid. Cycle the tank fully before adding any fish.
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