Glowlight Tetra

The Glowlight Tetra originated in Guiana, South America, where it occurs in the Rio Essequibo. There it resides in the slow-moving, dark areas. This pretty schooling fish with a bright red longitudinal stripe grows to about 4cm in size.

Care in the aquarium

Hemigrammus erythrozonus should be kept in the aquarium with at least 8-10 conspecifics and requires a tank with at least 60 cm edge length. It only swims in a swarm when there is danger or in stressful situations. The small tetra prefers softer water below 14°dGH and should be kept at a temperature between 23 and 29°C. The Glowlight Tetra feels good in a tank that is not too bright, with a fine, ideally dark substrate, dense planting and many hiding places. In brighter aquariums and after plants have been thinned out, the glow-light tetras stay close to the bottom and often hide, otherwise they mainly move in the middle of the water column. A dark substrate and background as well as large-leaved plants and floating plants are ideal for darkening the aquarium. This peaceful and sociable fish can easily socialize with other peaceful fish of a similar size.

Feeding

As an omnivore, this tetra accepts conventional, fine ornamental fish food, but also small live and frozen food.

Sexual characteristics and breeding

Male Glowlight Tetras are slightly slimmer in physique than their female counterparts and have a slightly longer anal fin. For successful breeding, the breeding tank should be as dark as possible and the water should be around 28°C warm, soft and rather acidic. As free spawners, the Glowlight Tetras lay their eggs between aquatic plants or in moss cushions and do not take care of the brood. A low pH value and humic substances inhibit fungal infestation of the eggs. One day after fertilization, the young fish hatch and feed on the yolk sac for another 4-5 days. After that, the tiny fish need very small food, such as microorganisms or rotifers. Shortly after the juveniles are swimming freely, they can be fed with newly hatched Artemia nauplii and Cyclops. It is essential to ensure good water hygiene and the addition of humic substances, since the small Glowlight Tetras are very susceptible to bacterial and fungal infestation.