The Glowlight Tetra (Hemigrammus erythrozonus) is a peaceful, brilliantly colored schooling fish known for its glowing orange-red stripe that runs from nose to tail, resembling a glowing filament. It is a favorite among aquarists for its beauty and compatibility in community tanks.
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The Glowlight Tetra (Hemigrammus erythrozonus) is a peaceful, brilliantly colored schooling fish known for its glowing orange-red stripe that runs from nose to tail, resembling a glowing filament. It is a favorite among aquarists for its beauty and compatibility in community tanks.
Slender, silver-transparent body with a bright reddish-orange stripe running from the snout through the eye to the base of the tail. Fins are mostly translucent with slight golden or reddish hues. Grows up to 1.6 inches (4 cm).
3–5 years with proper care
Omnivorous — accepts high-quality flakes, micro-pellets, and enjoys small live or frozen foods such as daphnia, brine shrimp, and bloodworms.
The Glowlight Tetra is a stunning, peaceful fish that adds warmth and movement to community aquariums. Their glowing stripe is most striking in planted or dim setups. A must-have for those who appreciate active, harmonious fish.
Easy — very hardy and beginner-friendly.
15 gallons (for a school of 6–10)
5.5 to 7.5
1–12 dGH
74–82°F (23–28°C)
1.6 inches (4 cm)
Compatible with neon tetras, cardinal tetras, rasboras, guppies, corydoras, small danios, dwarf gouramis, shrimp, and snails.
Avoid aggressive or fin-nipping species such as large cichlids, tiger barbs, or bettas that may harass them.
Hemigrammus erythrozonus
Characidae
Essequibo River basin, Guyana
Highly social schooling fish. Peaceful and thrives in groups, adding activity and glow to planted aquariums.
Feed small portions 2–3 times daily. Provide a staple of flakes or micro-pellets, supplemented with occasional live or frozen foods for color and vitality.
Egg scatterer. Spawning occurs in dimly lit tanks with fine-leaved plants or spawning mops. Adults must be removed after spawning to prevent egg predation.
Requires a separate breeding tank with soft (1–5 dGH), acidic (pH 5.5–6.5), dimly lit water. Females scatter eggs among fine-leaved plants. Eggs hatch within 24–36 hours, and fry become free-swimming in about 3–4 days. Fry need infusoria or liquid fry food initially, followed by baby brine shrimp.
pH: 5.5–7.5, Temperature: 74–82°F (23–28°C), Hardness: 1–12 dGH, Ammonia/Nitrite: 0 ppm, Nitrate: <20 ppm.
Prone to ich, fin rot, and parasitic infections if stressed or kept in poor water conditions. Sensitive to sudden parameter changes.
Peaceful, active schooling fish
Peaceful, highly social schooling fish. Best kept in groups of at least 6–10 to feel secure and show natural schooling behaviors.
Glowlight Tetras originate from the clear, slow-moving waters of the Essequibo River basin in Guyana. Their glowing reddish-orange horizontal stripe gives them their name and makes them stand out beautifully against dark or planted aquarium backgrounds. They thrive in groups of 6 or more, displaying synchronized and peaceful swimming. These hardy fish adapt well to a wide range of conditions, making them ideal for beginners while still being loved by experienced aquarists. Their subtle glow under aquarium lighting makes them visually striking in planted or dim setups.