Remarks: If you are looking for an extremely rare and almost never seen in the hobby species of tetra, Hyphessobrycon vinaceus is it. While it was described back in the early 2000s, it is brand new to the hobby. Because of this, it has yet to be given a common name and there is not much information in regards to their care. For species like this, it is best to replicate their natural habitat to have the best chance at success and maybe even get them to spawn. Hyphessobrycon vinaceus come from the Rio Pardo drainage in Brazil, specifically the Rio São João. The area of collection was specifically in a portion of rapids directly below a waterfall with a sandy bottom. From this, it can be concluded this species requires, clear, highly oxygenated water with a good amount of current. When healthy and mature, this species displays a body that varies from silver, to gold, to green and a black, horizontal bar along the lateral line that starts at the base of the caudal fin and fades up into the middle of the body. When mature and in the right conditions, below that bar and on the back half of the fish is a vibrant red patch of color and just behind the eye on the gill plate is a black spot preceded by a spot of green iridescence. Between this beautiful coloration and its rarity, this fish is a must have for tetra collectors.
