Muzel Red Cherry Tetra

Muzel Red Cherry Tetra

Muzel Red Cherry Tetra (Hyphessobrycon sp. 'Muzel') is a relatively new, deeper-bodied tetra out of Brazil's Mato Grosso region, prized for a rich cherry-red to orange-red body that intensifies with age, diet, and subdued lighting. It reads as a larger, deeper-bodied cousin of the Ember Tetra, with the red-orange coloration carrying all the way into the caudal fin — the key visual difference from similar-looking Hyphessobrycon like the Orange Bolivia/Tapajos lemon tetra, which lack a colored tail. Two faint shoulder spots are present but subtle. Most stock in the trade today is captive-bred rather than wild-caught, and exact taxonomy is still unsettled — "Muzel" functions as a trade name pending formal description.

Feeding & Care Tip: As micro-predators, Muzel Red Cherry Tetras color up best on a varied diet led by live and frozen foods — Hikari Frozen or Freeze-Dried Baby Brine Shrimp, Hikari Frozen Daphnia, and Hikari Frozen Bloodworm should form the core of their diet. Sera Vipan Tropical Flakes and Hikari Micro Pellets are well accepted once the fish are settled and make a convenient everyday staple alongside the live/frozen rotation.

Wild specimens come from small, slow-moving streams and flooded areas around Mato Grosso, Brazil, with soft, slightly acidic water and plenty of driftwood, leaf litter, and fringing vegetation. In the aquarium they color best under a dark substrate, dim-to-moderate lighting, and a well-planted layout that echoes that blackwater habitat.

Keep in groups of at least 6, ideally 8 or more — a proper school brings out both the color and the natural shoaling behavior. Peaceful and easy to house with other small, non-aggressive community fish, and generally safe with adult shrimp, though shrimp fry may be at some risk.

An egg-scattering species that will breed in typical tetra fashion given soft, acidic water and well-conditioned adults — a fine choice for hobbyists who want a less common, deeper-red alternative to the standard Ember or Flame Tetra in a planted display.

Care & Ideal Parameters