Glowlight Tetra | Hemigrammus erythrozonus

Characins / Characinae / Glowlight Tetra

Profile: Glowlight Tetra
Hemigrammus / Cheirodon erythrozonus
SYN: Hemigrammus gracilis
PD: The body color is silver. An iridescent orange to red stripe extends from the snout to the base of its tail. The front part of the dorsal fins are the same color as the stripe. Other fins are silver to transparent.
SIZE: 1.6" (4 cm)
SS: Red-line Rasbora ( Rasbora pauciperforata) of Malaysia and Indonesia has similar coloring.
HAB: South America; Essequibo River, Guyana.
S: bottom, middle
TANK: 20" (45 cm) or 10 gallons (38 L). The tank should have a dark substrate to help bring out the Glowlight Tetra's neon-orange stripe. Use a cover of floating plants to diffuse the lighting. The tank should be well-planted.
WATER: pH 5.7-7.5 (6.8); 4-15 dH (6); 75-82°F (24-28°C)
SB: A peaceful, shoaling fish that is recommended for a community tank.
SC: Tetras, Discus, Corydoras, Apistogramma, Gouramis
FOOD: Flake; live; insect larvae, Brine Shrimp, Tubifex, small aquatic insects.
SEX: Females are larger.
B: Use a 10 gallon (38 L) breeding tank furnished with Java Moss and other plants. The tank should have dim or no lighting and a water temperature from 79-82°F (26-28°C). Peat filtered water makes for the best results. After conditioning a pair on live foods for a few weeks, introduce the pair into the breeding tank during the evening. The pair should spawn within two or three days. If the pair does not spawn within three days, try the process over again. 120-150 eggs are dropped in plants and on the bottom. The fry hatch in 20 to 25 hours. Feed the young crushed flakes and paramecia and Rotifers. After about 15 days, the young develop the characteristic orange stripe.
BP: 6. The Glowlight Tetra is not difficult fish to breed.
R: Among the most popular aquarium fish. Most fish available to the hobby are bred in captivity, especially in Southeast Asia. A "gold" form has been developed.
DC: 3. A hardy fish suggested for the beginning aquariast.