Description
Candy Cane Tetra (Hyphessobrycon bentosi) – A Sweet Pop of Color for Your Aquarium
The Candy Cane Tetra (Hyphessobrycon bentosi) is a beautifully vibrant freshwater fish that adds a playful touch of color to any aquarium. With its striking red and white body, resembling the classic candy cane pattern, this tetra is a standout species in both size and visual appeal. Known for its energetic personality and peaceful temperament, the Candy Cane Tetra is a fantastic addition to community tanks, where its bold coloration and active schooling behavior bring constant movement and excitement.
Native to the slow-moving rivers of South America, particularly Brazil, the Candy Cane Tetra thrives in schools and does best in a well-maintained aquarium with plenty of plant cover. Its attractive appearance and social nature make it a perfect choice for aquarists looking to add a colorful, yet peaceful, species to their tank.
Key Features & Care Guidelines:
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Striking Coloration: The Candy Cane Tetra is named for its distinctive red and white striped pattern, which resembles the festive colors of a candy cane. This eye-catching coloration makes it a standout fish in any aquarium.
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Behavior: Peaceful and social; best kept in schools of 6 or more to reduce stress and encourage natural schooling behavior. The Candy Cane Tetra is active and enjoys interacting with other members of its school.
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Tank Size: Minimum 20 gallons recommended for a small school, though larger tanks are ideal for more dynamic swimming and a healthier environment.
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Water Parameters: Prefers slightly acidic to neutral water with a pH between 6.0 and 7.5, and temperatures from 74°F to 80°F (23°C to 27°C). A gentle water flow and good filtration are important to maintain water quality.
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Diet: Omnivorous; accepts flakes, pellets, and live or frozen foods like brine shrimp, daphnia, and bloodworms. A varied diet will help maintain the fish's health and vibrant colors.
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Tank Setup: Ideal for well-planted aquariums with moderate lighting. Hiding spots and open swimming areas will provide a balanced environment for these active swimmers.
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Experience Level: Hardy and adaptable, making it suitable for both beginner and experienced aquarists.
The Candy Cane Tetra (Hyphessobrycon bentosi) is a bright and cheerful addition to any aquarium, adding both vibrant color and lively activity. Whether schooling in groups or darting gracefully through plants, this species will surely captivate anyone who views your tank.
Click & Collect
Livestock will only be bagged once you arrive, or if you contact us in advance to request it ready beforehand.
Local Delivery
Order anything from our in-store range and have it delivered right to you.
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Minimum spend: £50
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Delivery up to 10 miles: £10
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Delivery up to 25 miles: £20
Distances are measured “as the crow flies”, not by road.
Once your order is placed, we’ll be in touch to arrange a suitable delivery date and time.
Please note, delivery may take a little longer as we often group orders together to build an efficient delivery run.
Important: If you’re ordering a large aquarium, please ensure someone is available to help unload the van on arrival.
Dry Goods Delivery
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DPD Next Day: 1 working day (order before 12 noon)
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DX Next Day (Heavy Items & Small Aquariums): 1 working day (order before 12 noon)
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Express Pallet: 1–3 working days
If you'd like to add more items to an existing order that hasn't yet been dispatched, please place a Click & Collect order and leave a note asking us to combine the orders.
Please note: We currently only dispatch parcels Wednesday to Friday.
Pre-Order
Want the full details? Check out our Terms & Conditions.
Livestock Delivery
Thursday Delivery – £24
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Dispatched Wednesday afternoon
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Delivered Thursday before 1pm
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Order by Wednesday 12 noon
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Minimum spend: £50
Friday Delivery – £24
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Dispatched Thursday afternoon
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Delivered Friday before 1pm
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Order by Thursday 12 noon
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Minimum spend: £50
Saturday Delivery – £29
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Dispatched Friday afternoon
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Delivered Saturday before 1pm
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Order by Friday 12 noon
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Minimum spend: £50
📦 Want to Add to an Existing Order?
No problem! Just place a Click & Collect order and leave a note asking us to link it with your original one (as long as it hasn’t been dispatched yet).
🛒 Dry Goods Now Included!
You can now include dry goods in your livestock delivery – perfect for topping up supplies in one go.
❄️ Please note: We can’t send frozen food with livestock – please order frozen items separately.
⚠️ Delivery Exclusions
Unfortunately, we’re unable to deliver livestock to the following postcodes:
Scotland & Isles:
AB30–AB56, DD8–DD10, DG3–DG9, DG12–DG14, FK17–FK21, KA18–KA19, KA26–KA30, PA20–PA38, PA80, PH3–PH40
Cornwall Isles: TR21–TR25
All of the following postcodes are excluded:
BT, HS, IM, IV, JE, KW
Plus Channel Islands and Shetland Islands
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