Lowe's tetra
Hyphessobrycon loweae
A small, peaceful, and schooling characin from the upper Xingu River basin in Brazil, perfect for planted tanks. Its active swimming style brings life to any freshwater setup.
Water Temperature
24 - 28 °C
pH Value
5.5 - 7.2
Water type
Freshwater
Tank level
Middle
Adult size
4 cm
Minimum tank volume
>= 50 L
Minimum group
>= 6
GH
2 - 10 dGH
KH
1 - 6 dKH
TDS
40 - 210 ppm
Conductivity
63 - 328 uS/cm
Species description
Geographical Origin and Habitat: Hyphessobrycon loweae is native to South America, endemic to Brazil, where it inhabits the upper Xingu River basin. It primarily lives in small forest streams, shallow creeks, and slow-moving flooded areas. These habitats feature clear or slightly stained acidic waters with sandy substrates covered in leaf litter and fallen wood.
Taxonomy and Morphology: Belongs to the family Characidae. It is a small fish, reaching a maximum adult length of approximately 3.5 to 4 centimeters. It possesses the typical laterally compressed body shape of tetras, with delicate fins and a well-developed adipose fin located on the posterior dorsal area.
Social Behavior: A peaceful, schooling fish that must be kept in groups of at least 8 to 10 individuals to feel secure. It swims actively in the middle water layers, demonstrating cohesive schooling dynamics. It displays no aggression toward other species and makes an excellent resident for community tanks.
Coloration and Sexual Dimorphism: The body is semi-translucent with a pinkish-orange or golden-orange sheen along the flanks. It features a dark humeral spot and a dark spot at the base of the caudal peduncle. The upper part of the eye has a bright red-orange highlight. Adult males possess slightly longer dorsal and anal fins and show more intense coloration compared to females.
Care, breeding and tankmates
Aquarium Setup: Requires an aquarium of at least 60 liters to accommodate a school. The tank should be decorated with dense live plants along the sides and back, tangled roots or driftwood, and dried leaf litter on the bottom. Leave an open central area for swimming. Subdued lighting, achieved using floating plants, replicates its shaded natural habitat.
Diet and Feeding: An omnivore. In captivity, it readily accepts high-quality dry flake and micro-pellet foods. To promote health and coloration, supplement the diet regularly with fine frozen foods such as daphnia, cyclops, baby brine shrimp, and finely minced bloodworms.
Water Quality: Prefers soft, acidic water conditions. Recommended pH is 5.5 to 7.0, with a general hardness (GH) of 1 to 8 dGH. Keep the water temperature between 22 and 26 °C. Gentle water flow is preferred, as strong currents can tire this small fish. Perform regular, partial water changes to keep nitrate levels low.
Compatibility and Cohabitation: Ideal for community aquariums alongside other small, peaceful species like other tetras, pencilfish, Corydoras, small loricariids, and dwarf cichlids. Never house them with large, predatory, or aggressive fish that could easily swallow them.
Aquarium Breeding: An egg scatterer. Breeding requires a separate breeding tank filled with very soft, acidic water, fine-leaved plants (like Java Moss), and a mesh screen to protect the eggs. Parents will eat their own eggs and must be removed immediately after spawning. Feed the tiny fry with infusoria initially.
Risks and Diseases: Sensitive to rapid water parameter fluctuations and organic pollution. It can easily contract Ich (white spot disease) if stressed by cold shocks during water changes. Ensure all replacement water is pre-conditioned and matches the aquarium water temperature exactly.
Geographic Origin and Distribution
Hyphessobrycon loweae is native to South America, endemic to Brazil, where it inhabits the upper Xingu River basin. It primarily lives in small forest streams, shallow creeks, and slow-moving flooded areas. These habitats feature clear or slightly stained acidic waters with sandy substrates covered in leaf litter and fallen wood.
Origin
Extra-Amazon South America
Fish profile
- Temperament
- Peaceful
- The temperament of Hyphessobrycon loweae is overwhelmingly peaceful, making them an exemplary model of a docile community fish. They are not prone to fin-nipping or aggressive territorial disputes, provided they are kept in appropriately sized schools that allow them to establish a natural hierarchy. While males may occasionally engage in harmless sparring displays to establish dominance or impress females, actual physical damage is exceedingly rare. Their gentle nature ensures they will not harass slower-moving tank mates, fostering a tranquil and harmonious aquatic environment.
- Diet
- Omnivore
- In their natural habitat, Hyphessobrycon loweae are micro-predators and foragers that feed on tiny insects, crustaceans, and various zooplankton. Within the aquarium environment, they readily accept high-quality dry foods such as micro pellets and crushed flakes designed for small tropical fish. To ensure their best coloration and overall health, their diet should be regularly supplemented with live or frozen foods like Daphnia, newly hatched brine shrimp, and bloodworms. A varied diet prevents nutritional deficiencies and mimics their diverse natural foraging behavior.
- Life expectancy
- 3-5 years
- Lowe's Tetra typically lives for 3 to 5 years in captivity under proper care. Maintaining clean and stable water parameters is key to ensuring their longevity. A stress-free environment, achieved by keeping them in a school and providing hiding places, also contributes to their lifespan.
- Adult size
- 4 cm
- The catalog's scalar value is 4 cm. The FishBase SPECIES table (v25.04 snapshot) source reports a maximum adult measurement of 3.16 cm for this species, recorded as standard length (SL). The taxonomic record consulted is Hyphessobrycon loweae (v25.04); male or unsexed record. These figures are not interchangeable: the first is the profile's editorial reference, whereas the second is a published maximum under a specific measurement convention; differences among sources can reflect sex, population, life stage and measuring method.
- Sex ratio
- Solitary
- While Hyphessobrycon loweae does not strictly require a specific male-to-female ratio, keeping a mixed group with a slight majority of females is generally recommended. Having more females helps distribute any amorous or territorial chasing behavior from the males, preventing individual females from becoming overly stressed. In larger schools of ten or more, the sex ratio becomes less critical as aggression and attention are widely dispersed throughout the group. Observing a healthy mix of both sexes also allows aquarists to enjoy the more intense, vibrant coloration that males display when showing off to the females.
- Feeding frequency
- Twice daily
- To maintain optimal health and vitality, Hyphessobrycon loweae should ideally be fed small portions one to two times per day. It is important to only offer an amount of food that the entire school can completely consume within two to three minutes. Overfeeding can lead to poor water quality, algae outbreaks, and potential health issues for these small fish. Providing a fasting day once a week can also be beneficial to clear their digestive tracts and replicate natural food scarcity.
- Bioload
- The bioload produced by Hyphessobrycon loweae is generally considered to be quite low due to their small adult size and active metabolism. These tiny fish do not generate significant amounts of waste, making them excellent candidates for densely planted setups or nano aquariums when kept in appropriate numbers. However, a proper filtration system and regular water changes are still essential to maintain optimal water quality. If kept in very large schools, their cumulative bioload can increase slightly, but it rarely overwhelms a standard, cycled aquarium filter.
- Flow
- Moderate
- Coming from environments ranging from sluggish tributaries to moderately flowing streams, Hyphessobrycon loweae appreciates a gentle to moderate water flow in the aquarium. They are not built to constantly battle strong, torrential currents, which would quickly exhaust them and induce significant stress. Employing a spray bar or directing the filter outflow towards the tank glass can help diffuse the water movement effectively. Providing calmer resting areas among dense vegetation allows them to retreat and conserve energy whenever needed.
- Jump risk
- Yes
- Like many small, active species, Hyphessobrycon loweae possesses a moderate risk of jumping out of the aquarium, especially when startled or during the initial acclimation period. Sudden changes in lighting, aggressive tank mates, or sudden movements outside the tank can easily spook them into a leaping reflex. It is highly recommended to keep the aquarium securely covered with a tight-fitting lid or a specialized mesh screen. Floating plants can also be added to the surface to help them feel more secure and deter jumping behaviors.
- Reproduction
- Oviparous
- Hyphessobrycon loweae belongs to the category of egg-scattering fish, meaning they broadcast their eggs freely without providing any subsequent parental care. In a dedicated breeding setup, dim lighting, very soft, acidic water, and an abundance of fine-leaved plants or spawning mops are required to encourage spawning. The adult fish are notorious egg-eaters and must be removed from the breeding tank immediately after the spawning event concludes. Once hatched, the microscopic fry require infusoria or specialized liquid fry food until they are large enough to accept baby brine shrimp.
- Compatibility & tankmates
- Peaceful
- Hyphessobrycon loweae is an incredibly peaceful and sociable schooling fish that makes a fantastic addition to most community aquariums. They thrive when kept alongside similarly sized, non-aggressive species such as Corydoras catfish, small rasboras, and other docile tetras. It is crucial to avoid housing them with large or predatory fish that might view them as a quick snack, such as larger cichlids. Maintaining them in a group of at least six individuals will help them feel secure, significantly reducing any potential stress or shyness.
- Tank level
- Middle
- In the aquarium, Hyphessobrycon loweae primarily inhabits the middle to upper levels of the water column, rarely venturing completely to the bottom unless searching for fallen food. They are enthusiastic swimmers that appreciate plenty of open swimming space in the center of the tank to dart around in their schooling formations. Providing tall background plants or floating vegetation will give them the upper-level cover they desire without encroaching on their preferred swimming zones. Their mid-water presence makes them an excellent choice for adding active, colorful movement to the central focal point of a planted setup.
Scientific Parameters & Models
FishBase
Window to the official scientific data of the species
Data synced on: 06/15/2026
- Trophic level
- 2.9 ± 0.3 se
- Resilience
- High (less than 15 months)
- Phylogenetic uniqueness (PD50)
- 0.5
- Bayesian Length-Weight
- a = 0.01995, b = 3.01
- VulnerabilityLow vulnerability (10 / 100)
Image gallery
Licensed images linked to the species or, when marked, to the closest representative taxon.
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Recommendations grouped by close relatives, companion choices, and similar care.
