Glowlight Tetra (Hemigrammus erythrozonus) – 2.5–3 inches

🐠 Species Overview

The Glowlight Tetra (Hemigrammus erythrozonus) is a small, peaceful freshwater fish native to the Essequibo River in Guyana, South America. It is characterized by its silver body and a bright iridescent orange to red stripe that extends from the snout to the base of its tail, with the front of the dorsal fin being the same color as the stripe. The Glowlight Tetra is larger than the neon tetra and has a peaceful disposition, making it an ideal community tank fish. It should be kept with similarly sized, non-aggressive species.

🏡 Aquarium Setup & Care Instructions

Tank Size & Environment

• Minimum Tank Size: 10–15 gallons (38–57 liters) for a small school.

• Substrate: Fine gravel or sand to mimic natural riverbeds.

• Decor: Heavily planted tanks with driftwood, rocks, and floating plants provide shelter and soft lighting to enhance their colors.

• Water Parameters: Temperature 72–82°F (22–28°C), pH 5.5–7.5, soft to moderately hard water.

• Filtration: Gentle filtration with minimal current to maintain clean water without stressing the fish.

Behavior & Tankmates

• Peaceful and social; best kept in schools of at least 6.

• Compatible with other small, non-aggressive fish such as Neon Tetras, Cardinal Tetras, Corydoras, and small rasboras.

Diet

• Omnivorous; feed a variety of high-quality flake foods, micro-pellets, and live or frozen foods like brine shrimp, daphnia, and bloodworms.