one glowlight fish in front of a blur green background

Glowlight Tetra Care

Overview

The glowlight tetra (Hemigrammus erythrozonus) is a freshwater fish of the Characidae family. It is native to Guyana, Suriname, and French Guiana, and is found in the Orinoco, Essequibo, and Courantyne river basins. The fish is easily distinguished by its bright red coloration and long, flowing fins. It grows to a maximum length of 3.5 cm (1.4 in).

The glowlight tetra is a popular aquarium fish, and is often kept in schools of 10 or more fish. It is a peaceful fish that is compatible with most other freshwater fish species. The fish is omnivorous, and will eat a variety of live, frozen, and flake foods.

The glowlight tetra is an easy fish to care for, and is a good choice for beginner aquarium keepers. The fish is relatively disease-resistant, and can tolerate a wide range of water conditions. The fish is also relatively tolerant of poor water quality.

The main thing to remember when keeping glowlight tetras is to provide them with plenty of hiding places, as they are shy fish. The addition of live plants to the aquarium will also help to reduce stress levels in the fish.

Clsoseup fish glowlight tetra in aquaruim

Glowlight Tetra Care Tips In Brief

If you’re looking for a beautiful, low-maintenance fish for your aquarium, look no further than the glowlight tetra! These little fish are easy to care for and make a stunning addition to any freshwater setup. Here’s everything you need to know about keeping glowlight tetras happy and healthy in your home aquarium.

Lifespan

The lifespan of a glowlight tetra is around 5 to 7 years. In the wild, they may live even longer due to the clean water and lack of predators. In captivity, the lifespan is shorter due to the stress of living in a smaller space and the lack of clean water.

Glowlight tetras are not known to be a long-lived species, but they can live a long time in captivity if they are given the proper care. They need clean water and a good diet to stay healthy and avoid stress.

Appearance

The Glowlight Tetra is a small freshwater fish that is popular in the aquarium trade. They are named for their distinctive orange-red coloration, which is caused by a pigment in their skin called xanthophyll. Glowlight Tetras are typically 2.5-3.5 cm (1-1.4 in) in length, although some individuals can reach up to 5 cm (2 in). They have a relatively short lifespan of 4-5 years in captivity.

Glowlight Tetras are peaceful fish that make good tank mates for other small peaceful fish. They are active swimmers and prefer to live in groups of 6 or more. They are not demanding in terms of water quality and can tolerate a wide range of water conditions.

Glowlight Tetras are omnivorous and will consume a variety of foods, including flakes, pellets, live food, and frozen food. They should be fed 2-3 times per day.

Average Size

Glowlight Tetras are a small freshwater fish that typically grow to be about 2-3 inches in length. However, some Glowlight Tetras can grow to be up to 4 inches long. The average lifespan of a Glowlight Tetra is 5-7 years, although some fish have been known to live up to 10 years.

Glowlight Tetra Tank Size & Setup

Glowlight tetras are a peaceful freshwater fish that make a great addition to any community aquarium. They are relatively easy to care for and do well in a variety of different tank sizes and setups.

When it comes to choosing a tank size for your glowlight tetras, a good rule of thumb is to use 10 gallons of water for every 1-2 fish. So, for a school of 6-12 glowlight tetras, a 20-40 gallon tank would be ideal. Of course, the larger the tank, the better. A larger tank will provide your fish with more swimming space and help to keep the water quality more stable.

When setting up your glowlight tetra tank, be sure to include plenty of hiding places and places to swim. Aquarium plants are a great way to achieve this. Glowlight tetras prefer a dimly lit aquarium, so be sure to use plants and other decorations to create some shady areas. A sandy substrate is best, as it is gentle on the tetras’ delicate fins.

Water quality is important for all fish, but especially for glowlight tetras, as they are very sensitive to changes in their environment. Be sure to perform regular water changes and use a high-quality filter. A good rule of thumb is to change 25-50% of the water every 2 weeks.

With proper care, your glowlight tetras will thrive in your home aquarium. They are active little fish that are great to watch and make a wonderful addition to any community tank.

Water Parameters

Water parameters are crucial to the success of a glowlight tetra tank setup. The following water parameters should be monitored and maintained:

pH: The pH of the water should be between 6.5 and 7.5.

Temperature: The water temperature should be between 72 and 82 degrees Fahrenheit.

Ammonia: The ammonia level should be 0 ppm.

Nitrite: The nitrite level should be 0 ppm.

Nitrate: The nitrate level should be less than 20 ppm.

hardness: The hardness of the water should be between 4 and 8 dGH.

The above water parameters are essential for the health and well-being of glowlight tetras. If any of these parameters are out of range, it could lead to illness or death.

Decorations and plants

When it comes to decorations and plants for your glowlight tetra tank, there are a few things to keep in mind. First, because glowlight tetras are relatively small fish, you’ll want to avoid anything that could potentially tear their fins or injure them. Second, because these fish are native to South America, they prefer a heavily planted tank with plenty of hiding places.

Some good plants for a glowlight tetra tank include Java ferns, hornwort, and anubias. These plants are all relatively tough and can withstand a fair amount of abuse from curious fish. As for decorations, try to stick to smooth, rounded rocks or driftwood that won’t tear the fins of your fish.

Finally, remember to leave plenty of open swimming space in your glowlight tetra tank. These fish are very active and need room to swim around. A good rule of thumb is to leave at least 2-3 gallons of open space per fish.

Filtration (list in steps)

Filtration is an important part of any glowlight tetra tank setup. There are a few different types of filtration that can be used, and each has its own advantages and disadvantages. Here is a brief overview of the most common types of filtration:

1. Mechanical filtration: This type of filtration removes physical debris from the water using a filter media. This is the most common type of filtration used in glowlight tetra tanks.

2. Biological filtration: This type of filtration uses bacteria to break down harmful waste products in the water. This is a very important type of filtration for keeping your glowlight tetras healthy.

3. Chemical filtration: This type of filtration removes dissolved toxins and chemicals from the water using chemical filter media. This is an important type of filtration for keeping your glowlight tetras healthy.

4. UV filtration: This type of filtration uses ultraviolet light to kill harmful bacteria and parasites in the water. This is an important type of filtration for keeping your glowlight tetras healthy.

5. Ozonation: This type of filtration uses ozone to kill harmful bacteria and parasites in the water. This is an important type of filtration for keeping your glowlight tetras healthy.

Common Potential Diseases

Like all animals, glowlight tetras are susceptible to a variety of diseases. The most common potential diseases include:

Fungal infections: Fungal infections are common in aquarium fish and can be caused by a variety of environmental factors, including poor water quality. Symptoms of a fungal infection include white or fuzzy growths on the skin, fins, or mouth.

Bacterial infections: Bacterial infections are also common in aquarium fish and can be caused by a variety of environmental factors, including poor water quality. Symptoms of a bacterial infection include red or swollen skin, fins, or mouth; cloudy eyes; and increased mucus production.

Protozoan infections: Protozoan infections are single-celled parasites that can infect fish through open wounds or by consuming infected food. Symptoms of a protozoan infection include red or swollen skin, fins, or mouth; cloudy eyes; and increased mucus production.

Viral infections: Viral infections are relatively rare in aquarium fish, but can be deadly if not treated promptly. Symptoms of a viral infection include lethargy, loss of appetite, and rapid breathing.

If you suspect your fish are sick, it is important to consult a veterinarian or fishkeeping expert as soon as possible. Early diagnosis and treatment is often the key to a successful recovery.

group of glowlight tetra tropical fish in tank

Glowlight Tetra: Interesting Facts & Stats

  • Glowlight tetras are a hardy and peaceful fish that make a great addition to any freshwater aquarium.
  • They are native to the clear waters of the Amazon Basin in South America.
  • Glowlight tetras prefer to school in groups of 6 or more fish.
  • They are a relatively small fish, growing to only about 2 inches in length.
  • Glowlight tetras are omnivorous and will eat a variety of both meaty and plant-based foods.
  • These fish are relatively easy to care for and make a great choice for beginning aquarium hobbyists.

Food & Diet

Like all fish, glowlight tetras are carnivorous and require a diet rich in protein. In the wild, they feed on small invertebrates such as insects, crustaceans, and worms. In captivity, they will accept most commercial foods, but should be given a variety of live, frozen, and freeze-dried foods to ensure a well-balanced diet.

Glowlight tetras are not fussy eaters, but they do have a few preferences when it comes to food. For example, they prefer live foods such as bloodworms and brine shrimp, but will also accept frozen and freeze-dried foods. They also prefer small foods that they can easily eat in one bite.

When it comes to diet, it is important to remember that glowlight tetras are social creatures and should be given a variety of foods to ensure a well-balanced diet. Live, frozen, and freeze-dried foods are all good choices, but try to give them a variety of foods to keep them healthy and happy.

Behavior & Temperament

Glowlight tetras are peaceful, active fish that make great additions to any community aquarium. They are schooling fish, so they should be kept in groups of at least six. They are relatively tolerant of other fish, but can be nippy towards slower moving fish or fish with long fins. They are omnivores and will eat most aquarium foods, but should be given a diet that is high in protein.

Glowlight tetras are generally peaceful fish, but they can be nippy towards slower moving fish or fish with long fins. They are schooling fish, so they should be kept in groups of at least six.

Glowlight tetras are relatively tolerant of other fish, but can be nippy towards slower moving fish or fish with long fins. They are omnivores and will eat most aquarium foods, but should be given a diet that is high in protein.

Tank Mates

Glowlight tetras are peaceful fish that make great tank mates for other peaceful community fish. They are not known to be fin nippers, and will do well with other fish that have similar care requirements. 

Some good tank mates for glowlight tetras include:

  • Neon tetras
  • Cardinal tetras
  • Pristella tetras
  • Black skirt tetras
  • Otocinclus catfish

When choosing tank mates for glowlight tetras, it is important to avoid fish that are too large or aggressive, as they can bully or eat the smaller glowlight tetras. It is also important to make sure that the tank mates you choose are compatible in terms of water parameters, as glowlight tetras prefer slightly acidic to neutral water.

Glowlight Tetra Breeding & Mating

Glowlight tetras are easy to breed in the home aquarium. They are not fussy about water conditions and will readily spawn in a well-maintained tank. A spawning tank should be set up with soft, slightly acidic water and plenty of hiding places for the fry.

Clsoseup glowlight tetra in aquaruim

The female glowlight tetra will lay her eggs on plants or other surfaces in the tank. The male will then fertilize the eggs. After spawning, the parents should be removed from the tank as they will likely eat the eggs.

The eggs will hatch in 24-48 hours and the fry will be free-swimming a few days later. They can be fed newly hatched brine shrimp or finely ground flake food.

FAQ

How many glowlight tetras can I put in a 10-gallon tank?

The recommended stocking density for glowlight tetras is 5-7 fish per gallon, so a 10 gallon tank could accommodate 50-70 fish.

Are glowlight tetras fin nippers?

No, glowlight tetras are not fin nippers.

Why are my glowlight tetras chasing each other?

There are a few reasons why your glowlight tetras might be chasing each other. One reason could be that they are establishing a hierarchy within the group. Another reason could be that they are trying to mate. 

If you have both males and females in the group, the males might be chasing the females to try to get them to mate. Lastly, if the tank is too small or there isn’t enough hiding places, the fish might be chasing each other out of stress. If you think that stress might be the reason, try adding some more hiding places to the tank.

Can neon tetras live with glowlight tetras?

Yes, neon tetras can live with glowlight tetras. They are both peaceful fish that do well in groups, so they make good tank mates. Be sure to provide plenty of hiding places and plants for both species, as they like to have places to retreat to.

Can glowlight tetras live with guppies?

Yes, neon tetras can live with glowlight tetras, as both species are peaceful and prefer similar water conditions. However, it is important to provide plenty of hiding places and plants for the neon tetras, as they are smaller and more shy than the glowlight tetras.

How Many Eggs Does the Female Glowlight Tetra Lay?

The female Glowlight Tetra can lay anywhere from 20 to 40 eggs at a time.

How Long Does It Take Glowlight Fry To Reach Maturity?

It takes about three to four months for a glowlight fry to reach maturity.

Do glowlight tetras need an air pump?

No, glowlight tetras do not need an air pump. They are a peaceful community fish that do best in schools of 6 or more fish. They are not fin nippers and get along with other peaceful fish.

What temperature do glowlight tetras like?

Glowlight tetras like water that is on the cool side, around 72 to 78 degrees Fahrenheit.

Final Thoughts

If you’re looking for a carefree fish that is easy to care for, the Glowlight Tetra is a great choice. These fish are hardy and can tolerate a wide range of water conditions, making them ideal for beginner aquarium enthusiasts. Glowlight Tetras are also relatively peaceful, so they can be kept with a variety of other fish species.

GET FRESHWATER AQUARIUM GUIDE WORTH $99 FOR FREE!

[Revised and Updated for July, 2019]
Sign up to our newsletter to enjoy quality aquarium information and techniques in your email. As an added bonus you will also get Freshwater Aquarium Guide worth $99 for Free
AVAIL NOW
Written by Debra Hutchinson, founder of FishXperts

Similar Posts

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *