Red Cherry Tetra (Mato Grosso) – Hyphessobrycon sp. “Muzel”
The Red Cherry Tetra (Mato Grosso), currently known in the aquarium trade as Hyphessobrycon sp. “Muzel” or MZUEL 17771, is a striking South American tetra prized for its vivid cherry-red to orange-red coloration and peaceful schooling behavior.
This relatively new aquarium species is associated with the Mato Grosso region of Brazil and has quickly become highly sought after by aquarists looking for a colorful, uncommon schooling fish for planted and blackwater-style aquariums.
Key Features
- Intense cherry-red to orange-red coloration
- Deep red fins
- Peaceful freshwater schooling fish
- Relatively rare and recently introduced to the aquarium trade
- Excellent for planted and blackwater aquariums
- Best maintained in groups
- Adult size around 1.5–1.75 inches
- Color becomes stronger with maturity and good care
Fish Information
- Common Name: Red Cherry Tetra
- Also Known As: Mato Grosso Red Cherry Tetra, Muzel Red Cherry Tetra
- Scientific Identification: Hyphessobrycon sp. “Muzel” / MZUEL 17771
- Status: Currently an undescribed species in the aquarium trade
- Family: Characidae
- Origin: Brazil
- Reported Locality: Rio Juruena, Mato Grosso region
- Water Type: Freshwater
- Temperament: Peaceful
- Adult Size: Approximately 1.5–1.75 inches
- Swimming Level: Middle levels
- Diet: Omnivore / micropredator
- Care Level: Easy to Moderate
Color and Appearance
The Red Cherry Tetra develops rich red-orange body coloration with deeper red coloration in the fins.
Healthy mature fish can become exceptionally vibrant, especially when maintained in good water quality, subdued lighting, and a planted or dark-background aquarium.
Individual coloration may vary depending on age, sex, diet, stress level, and aquarium conditions.
Recommended Group Size
Red Cherry Tetras are social fish and should be kept in groups rather than individually.
We recommend a minimum group of 6 fish, with groups of 8–10 or more preferred when aquarium size allows.
Larger groups generally encourage more natural behavior, increased confidence, and a stronger visual display.
Recommended Aquarium Size
A 20-gallon aquarium or larger is recommended for a proper group of Red Cherry Tetras.
A longer aquarium footprint provides plenty of horizontal swimming room while still allowing space for plants, driftwood, and shaded areas.
Recommended Water Parameters
- Temperature: Approximately 76–82°F
- pH: Approximately 6.0–7.2
- Water Hardness: Soft to moderately hard
- Ammonia: 0 ppm
- Nitrite: 0 ppm
- Nitrate: Kept low through routine maintenance
Current aquarium-trade references describe this species as originating from warm, slower-moving, acidic waters, although captive-raised fish can adapt to a somewhat broader range of conditions.
Aquarium Setup
Red Cherry Tetras look especially impressive in planted or natural-style aquariums with subdued lighting and plenty of cover.
- Use a fully cycled freshwater aquarium
- Provide reliable biological filtration
- Maintain gentle to moderate water movement
- Add live plants for cover
- Use driftwood or branches
- Provide shaded areas
- Leave open swimming space
- Use a secure aquarium lid
- Perform regular partial water changes
Blackwater-Style Aquarium
The Mato Grosso Red Cherry Tetra is particularly attractive in a blackwater-inspired aquarium.
A natural setup may include:
- Driftwood
- Dried botanical leaves
- Floating plants
- Dark substrate
- Dim or filtered lighting
- Soft, slightly acidic water
These conditions can help bring out the fish's intense red coloration.
Feeding
Red Cherry Tetras are omnivorous micropredators and accept a wide variety of appropriately sized aquarium foods.
A varied diet may include:
- High-quality tropical flakes
- Micro pellets
- Frozen brine shrimp
- Baby brine shrimp
- Frozen daphnia
- Small bloodworms
- Other small live or frozen foods
Live and frozen foods can be particularly useful for maintaining strong coloration and conditioning adult fish.
Temperament
Red Cherry Tetras are generally peaceful and suitable for community aquariums with similarly sized, non-aggressive fish.
They are best maintained in a proper group, which helps reduce stress and encourages natural schooling behavior.
Compatible Tankmates
Potential tankmates include:
- Other peaceful tetras
- Rasboras
- Corydoras
- Small peaceful plecos
- Dwarf cichlids
- Peaceful gouramis
- Small rainbowfish with compatible water requirements
- Other peaceful community fish
Avoid highly aggressive fish or species large enough to view these small tetras as prey.
Male vs. Female
Sexual differences can become more noticeable as the fish mature.
Males may develop stronger coloration and more pronounced finnage, while mature females are often somewhat fuller-bodied.
Sexing young fish can be difficult.
Breeding
Like many Hyphessobrycon species, the Red Cherry Tetra is expected to be an egg-scattering fish that provides little or no parental care.
Breeding may be encouraged by:
- Soft, slightly acidic water
- Fine-leaved plants
- Java moss
- Spawning mops
- A varied diet of live and frozen foods
A separate breeding aquarium is preferred when maximizing egg and fry survival because adult fish may consume eggs or newly hatched fry.
Plants and Aquascaping
Red Cherry Tetras are excellent fish for planted aquariums and generally do not damage healthy aquatic plants.
Suitable plants may include:
- Cryptocoryne
- Anubias
- Java fern
- Amazon swords
- Java moss
- Stem plants
- Floating plants
Green plants and darker backgrounds create especially strong contrast with the fish's red coloration.
Important Care Notes
- Keep in groups of at least six.
- Use a mature, fully cycled aquarium.
- Maintain ammonia and nitrite at 0 ppm.
- Provide stable water conditions.
- Feed a varied diet for best coloration.
- Provide plants and shaded areas.
- Avoid aggressive or oversized tankmates.
- Never release aquarium fish into local waterways.
Frequently Asked Questions
What species is the Red Cherry Tetra?
It is currently sold as Hyphessobrycon sp. “Muzel” or MZUEL 17771 and has not yet been formally described under a finalized species name.
Where does the Mato Grosso Red Cherry Tetra come from?
Aquarium-trade records place it in Brazil, with the Rio Juruena area of Mato Grosso commonly cited as its locality.
How large do Red Cherry Tetras get?
Adults generally reach approximately 1.5–1.75 inches.
How many should I keep?
Keep at least six, with eight to ten or more preferred when aquarium size allows.
Are Red Cherry Tetras peaceful?
Yes. They are generally peaceful schooling fish and work well in community aquariums with compatible species.
What brings out their red coloration?
Good water quality, subdued lighting, a varied diet, mature fish, and planted or dark-background aquariums can help enhance their coloration.
Are they rare?
They are still relatively uncommon compared with long-established tetra species and are considered a specialty fish in the aquarium hobby.
Are they good for planted aquariums?
Yes. Their rich red coloration looks especially attractive against green aquatic plants.
Available at Tropical Treasures Wyo
Red Cherry Tetras (Mato Grosso) are available at Tropical Treasures Wyo in Cheyenne, Wyoming, when in stock.
Live fish are available for in-store purchase or local pickup only and are not available for shipping.
Explore More Aquarium Products:
20 in stock
Couldn't load pickup availability
Explore Related Aquarium Products: