Raccoon Tetra (Hyphessobrycon procyon)

<h2>Common Name</h2>
<p>Raccoon Tetra</p>

<h2>Origin and Habitat</h2>
<p><em>Hyphessobrycon procyon</em> is a Brazilian tetra described from the rio Aripuanã system in the rio Madeira basin. FishBase summarizes the type locality habitat as a clear water river about 131 feet wide (40 meters), about 1.6 to 6.6 feet deep (0.5 to 2 meters), with swift current and a rocky bottom.</p>
<p>In the aquarium, that translates to clean well-filtered water, gentle to moderate flow, and structure such as stones, wood, and leaf litter pockets that create shade and comfort. Because these are captive bred, they typically settle faster and accept prepared foods readily, but they still look and behave best in stable clean water with a confident school.</p>

<h2>Temperature and Water Conditions</h2>
<p>A good practical range is 72 to 80°F (22 to 27°C), with soft to moderately hard water and a slightly acidic to neutral pH. Aquarium Glaser notes that soft, slightly acidic water around pH 6 to 6.5 supports optimal color and fin development.</p>

<h2>Appearance and Size</h2>
<p>The common name comes from the bold dark marking near the tail that gives a masked look. This is a small tetra, commonly listed around 1.2 to 2.0 inches (3 to 5 cm), depending on the source and whether the measurement is standard length or total length. Aquarium Glaser reports adults reaching about 1.6 to 2.0 inches (4 to 5 cm).</p>

<h2>Diet in the Wild</h2>
<p>FishBase notes stomach contents that included nematodes, chironomid larvae, plant fragments, and sediments. That fits a typical tetra pattern: an opportunistic omnivore that picks at small invertebrates and whatever edible bits the current brings.</p>

<h2>Feeding in Captivity</h2>
<p>Easy to feed and easy to keep. Use a quality micro pellet or flake as the base, then rotate in frozen foods to keep color and conditioning strong.</p>
<ul>
  <li>Micro pellets or high-quality flake as a staple</li>
  <li>Frozen daphnia, cyclops, and baby brine shrimp</li>
  <li>Occasional bloodworms as a treat, not the whole diet</li>
</ul>
<p>They do best when food is offered in small portions more than once, rather than one large dump of food at a time.</p>

<h2>Behavior and Tank Setup</h2>
<p>Peaceful and active, best kept as a schooling fish. A larger group looks calmer and stays out in the open more.</p>
<ul>
  <li>Group size of 6 is the minimum; 8 to 12 looks the most natural</li>
  <li>Dark substrate and floating shade often improve color</li>
  <li>Wood and stones for structure, plus open lanes for midwater cruising</li>
  <li>Leaf litter pockets are optional but very on theme and help with comfort and contrast</li>
</ul>

<h2>Biotope and Compatible Species</h2>
<p>Biotope inspiration is clear water with noticeable current over rock, with calmer margins where wood, leaf litter, and shade collect. If you want to stay close to the type locality vibe, use stones and flow as the backbone, then add shade with wood and floating plants.</p>

<p><strong>Same drainage only, type locality community examples</strong></p>
<ul>
  <li>Characidium aff. zebra</li>
  <li>Moenkhausia comma</li>
  <li>Moenkhausia collettii</li>
  <li>Otocinclus mura</li>
  <li>Farlowella amazonum</li>
  <li>Ancistrus species</li>
  <li>Crenicichla pellegrini</li>
  <li>Eigenmannia group trilineata</li>
  <li>Gymnotus coropinae</li>
  <li>Helogenes marmoratus</li>
  <li>Pimelodella species</li>
  <li>Leporinus maculatus</li>
</ul>

<p><strong>Same region, same vibe, aquarium-compatible neighbors</strong></p>
<ul>
  <li>Other peaceful small tetras and pencilfish sized similarly</li>
  <li>Otocinclus and small Loricariids that appreciate clean water</li>
  <li>Calm Corydoras and small catfish in larger tanks, when parameters match</li>
  <li>Small <em>Characidium</em> species in tanks with sand plus flow zones</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Compatibility note:</strong> choose peaceful tankmates. Avoid fin nippers and very boisterous fish that keep the school pinned in a corner.</p>

<h2>Breeding</h2>
<p>Specific published breeding notes for this species are limited in the hobby compared to mass-market tetras, but the practical approach is the standard tetra egg-scattering playbook.</p>
<p>Use a separate spawning tank with dim lighting, soft water, and fine plants or spawning mops. Condition adults with frozen and live foods, then remove adults after spawning because eggs will be eaten.</p>

<h2>Breeder’s Tips</h2>
<ul>
  <li>Condition with frozen and live foods for 1 to 2 weeks before spawning</li>
  <li>Use soft, slightly acidic water if possible</li>
  <li>Keep lighting low, and provide fine plants or mops</li>
  <li>Remove adults after spawning</li>
  <li>Start fry on infusoria and powdered foods, then move to baby brine shrimp</li>
  <li>Do small frequent water changes once fry are feeding well</li>
</ul>

<h2>Quick Facts</h2>
<ul>
  <li><strong>Scientific name:</strong> <em>Hyphessobrycon procyon</em></li>
  <li><strong>Common name:</strong> Raccoon Tetra</li>
  <li><strong>This listing:</strong>Captive Bred</li>
  <li><strong>Adult size:</strong> about 1.2 to 2.0 inches (3 to 5 cm), many adults closer to 1.3 to 1.6 inches (3.3 to 4.0 cm)</li>
  <li><strong>Temperature:</strong> 72 to 80°F (22 to 27°C)</li>
  <li><strong>pH:</strong> about 5.5 to 7.2</li>
  <li><strong>Hardness:</strong> soft to moderate</li>
  <li><strong>Minimum tank size:</strong> 15 gallons (57 L); 20 gallons (76 L) or larger recommended</li>
  <li><strong>School size:</strong> 6 minimum; 8 to 12 ideal</li>
  <li><strong>Tank level:</strong> midwater</li>
  <li><strong>Temperament:</strong> peaceful, schooling</li>
  <li><strong>Diet:</strong> omnivore</li>
  <li><strong>Care level:</strong> easy to moderate</li>
  <li><strong>Best look:</strong> dark substrate, floating shade, calm natural décor</li>
</ul>

<h2>Tropical Fish Co. Notes</h2>
<p>This is one of those rare tetras that is actually easy to live with. It does not need magic water; it needs the basics done well: a real school, clean stable water, and a tank that feels safe.</p>
<p>If you want them to look their best, borrow two ideas from the type locality description. Give them stones and a little current to keep the water crisp, then give them shade and calm edges so they relax. In a bright bare tank they look like a nice tetra. In a shaded, natural setup they start flashing that clean body and bold tail mark like they are trying to get noticed.</p>
<p><strong>Quick behavior check:</strong> a comfortable group spreads out and starts browsing within minutes after lights on. A nervous group tightens up and hides. If you see the second one, add cover and shade first, then evaluate flow and water quality.</p>