Add a pop of vibrant pastel beauty to your aquascape with the stunning Pink Lemon Tetra (Hyphessobrycon itaparicensis), also widely known in the hobby as the Pink Lemonade Tetra. Renowned for its subtle rosy-pink body tones accented by bright lemon-yellow fins, this rare and peaceful schooling fish brings active motion, color, and charm to any community setup.

Key Product Highlights & Specifications

Origin & Natural Habitat

The Pink Lemon Tetra originates from South America, natively inhabiting the slow-moving coastal rivers, streams, and blackwater drainages of northeastern Brazil. In the wild, they thrive in warm, shaded, acidic waters sheltered by overhanging forest canopy and submerged leaf litter.

Tank Environment & Ideal Setup

To bring out the richest pink and yellow hues on your tetras, set up a densely planted aquarium featuring dark substrate, natural driftwood, and scattered leaf litter (such as Indian Almond Leaves). Subdued or dappled lighting, combined with floating plants like Frogbit or Salvinia, will help them feel secure and exhibit their boldest schooling behaviors. Maintain moderate water movement with gentle filtration to mimic their natural stream habitats.

General Care & Water Parameters

Pink Lemon Tetras are hardy, adaptable, and great for both beginners and experienced aquarists. They perform best in clean, stable water conditions.

• Temperature: 73°F to 82°F

• pH: 6.0 to 7.2

• Hardness: 2 to 10 dGH

Tank Size & Schooling Behavior

A minimum tank size of 15 to 20 gallons is recommended to allow adequate swimming space. As a social, schooling species, they must be kept in groups of at least 6 to 8 individuals (10+ is ideal). Keeping them in proper school sizes minimizes stress, reduces shyness, and encourages tight, active shoaling throughout the middle water column.

Feeding & Nutrition

As opportunistic omnivores, Pink Lemon Tetras are eager eaters that readily accept a wide variety of aquarium foods. Feed a foundation of high-quality micro pellets or crushed tropical flakes rich in natural color enhancers. Supplement 2–3 times per week with live or frozen treats—such as baby brine shrimp, daphnia, micro-worms, or bloodworms—to support optimal health and vibrant coloration.

Ideal Tank Mates

This species is non-aggressive and fits seamlessly into any peaceful community aquarium. Ideal tank mates include:

• Other Small Tetras: Ember Tetras, Neon Tetras, Rummynose Tetras, Cardinal Tetras

• Bottom Dwellers: Corydoras catfish, Otocinclus, Kuhli Loaches

• Dwarf Cichlids: Apistogramma or German Blue Rams

• Other Peaceful Species: Small Rasboras, Guppies, Platies, and freshwater invertebrates like Cherry Shrimp and Nerite Snails

Avoid housing with large, predatory, or aggressive fish that might view these small tetras as a meal.

Breeding

Pink Lemon Tetras are egg-scatterers with no parental instincts. To breed them successfully:

1. Set up a separate, shallow breeding tank filled with soft, slightly acidic water (pH 6.0–6.5) and fine-leaved plants (such as Java Moss) or spawning mops.

2. Condition a select pair or small group with premium live foods for a week.

3. Introduce the fish to the breeding tank in the evening; spawning typically occurs at daybreak.

4. Remove the adult fish immediately after eggs are scattered to prevent them from consuming the spawn. Eggs hatch within 24–36 hours, and fry can be fed infusoria followed by newly hatched brine shrimp.

PLEASE READ BEFORE ORDERING

• The photos shown on fish product pages are representations of adult fish and are NOT the actual fish that you will be receiving. 
• Please visit our “Ordering/Shipping fish” page prior to checking out to familiarize yourself with our process.
• We ship fish exclusively using overnight shipping with either FedEx or UPS. We will not ship fish with lesser expensive shipping services like “Ground” or “Priority Mail”. This is to ensure the safety of the fish.
• Unless specified, all fish are sold as unsexed.