Peugeot Tetra (Hyphessobrycon peugeoti) is a genuinely rare, deep-bodied tetra that has only recently entered the hobby — first described scientifically in 2013 from the middle Rio Juruena, a tributary of the upper Rio Tapajós basin in Mato Grosso, Brazil. Mature males develop a rich dark red crown across the top of the head and back, with a silvery body suffused with red along the flanks and belly, an elongated dorsal fin, and a distinctive black blotch on the caudal peduncle. This is a true specialty fish — captive-bred specimens are uncommon even among dedicated tetra collectors.
The species' name honors the Peugeot family — not for the car company directly, but because the family's pepper-mill manufacturing business funded a carbon-sink reforestation project at the Fazenda São Nicolau in central Brazil, and it was during this conservation work that the fish was discovered. It's a fitting origin for a fish this rare.
Feeding & Care Tip: Peugeot Tetras are omnivores that need a genuine balance of plant matter and protein to look and behave their best — a high-quality micro-pellet or flake makes a fine staple, but for ideal color and condition, supplement regularly with live or frozen daphnia, brine shrimp, and bloodworms, plus occasional algae-based or vegetable matter. Skipping the live/frozen protein is the single biggest reason this species fails to show its best color in a tank.
Keep in groups of 6 or more, ideally with a higher ratio of females to encourage natural male display and reduce minor aggression toward slower tankmates. Like other deeper-bodied Hyphessobrycon, males will posture and show their best colors when competing for female attention — this is normal shoaling behavior, not aggression that needs intervention.
Soft, acidic water is the genuine ideal for this species, not just a tolerance — water that's too hard or alkaline will mute the red coloration that makes this fish worth seeking out in the first place. Very little is documented about wild breeding behavior, but captive spawning is believed to follow the typical Hyphessobrycon pattern: egg-scattering over fine-leaved plants in soft, acidic conditions.
| Difficulty | Easy once acclimated — though scarce and worth careful sourcing |
| Temperament | Peaceful, minor posturing among males — normal shoaling display |
| Typical Adult Size | 1.2–1.6 inches (3–4 cm) |
| Min. Group Size | 6 minimum, more females than males recommended |
| Ideal Temp | 75–82°F (24–28°C) |
| Ideal pH | 5.5–6.5, soft and acidic — true ideal, not just tolerance |
| Ideal GH | 2–8 dGH |
| Staple Food | High-quality micro-pellets or flake |
| Treat / Supplement | Live or frozen daphnia, brine shrimp, bloodworms — needed regularly for full color, not occasional |
| Origin | Rio Juruena, upper Rio Tapajós basin, Mato Grosso, Brazil |
| Notes | Genuinely rare in the hobby, even hobbyist-bred. Named for the Peugeot family's reforestation project, not the car. Soft acidic water essential for full red coloration. |
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