Don’t expect to see any wild specimens for sale, though. Thus there's no need to separate this species according to sex. As a shoaling species, glowlight tetras regularly group up and dart around the tank to create an eye-catching display of color. Like most tetras, females are larger and more fat bodied than the more slender male. These fish can be picky about spawning conditions. She is a court-appointed special advocate and is certified in crisis counseling and child and infant nutrition. Female bloodfin tetras don't mind showing off their body, which is a bit rounder than the males, even if the female isn't pregnant. You can tell a male from a female by the shapes of their finnage. The litter will produce tannins over time as it decays. But the most identifying feature of this species is their reddish-orange stripe! You will need to wait until your glowlight tetras are adults to determine their genders because young fish are nearly identical, but there are a few ways you can tell which of your adult fish are boys and which are girls. The males are generally smaller and more slender, particularly in the abdomen. The glowlight tetra is endemic to the rivers of Guyana in South America. It goes all the way from the front of the head to the tip of the tail. I just looked into my 55 gallon tank, and I have a male Glowlight chasing the biggest female. Author Note: When you arrange the plants, make sure there is still some free swimming space in the center of the tank. Remove the adults immediately after the eggs are released. This is definitely on the shorter side of things when you compare them with other tetra species. Some plants will fall on the leaves, while others will end up on the bottom of the aquarium. Glowlight tetra care is something that pretty much anyone can handle. With regular water changes, you should have no problem keeping the habitat in good shape. The stripe runs laterally along the entire length of the fish. Males have larger, longer fins than their female counterparts. Some good glowlight tetra tank mates include: Glowlight tetras are more than capable of breeding in captivity. Proper aquarium lighting levels with a dark fish tank bottom can help enhance the colors of these tetras. You can keep half a dozen fish in a standard 10-gallon tank! They have one … Temperature is 78. Because these are such colorful fish, they can really liven up the appearance of any freshwater aquarium. You can also move onto freshly-hatched brine shrimp once they are big enough. However, the trick is finding something they can actually fit into their mouths! Next, add pieces of driftwood and small rocks. Plus, the eggs are highly sensitive to light! During the actual spawning, the pair will turn upside down and the female Glowlight tetra will release her eggs. In fact, they’re one of the most popular…, Clown Loaches are one of the most popular freshwater fish in the aquarium scene. The glowlight tetra is an iridescent tropical fish named for its silver coloring and orange lightlike stripe. She holds degrees in developmental psychology and philosophy from Georgia State University. If you notice smaller glowlights chasing a larger fish, the larger one is almost certainly a female. Aggression isn’t a huge problem. A single female can produce 50 or more eggs in one spawn. Glowlight tetras like their own kind; hold them in teams of at the least a half-dozen or more. Instead, they may try to eat them. There are many different types of aquarium catfish out there. Cardinal Tetras & Bettas. Gender can be difficult to determine, females are usually a little larger. They are black skirt tetras with a gene spliced with a color gene from a sea anemone, so breeding information can be found by researching black skirt tetras. Glowlight tetra Tankmates. When they are free-swimming, provide infusoria and finely-crushed flake food. At that point, the fry will live on their egg sacs for another couple of days. Angels are notorious for eating glowlight tetras. Females develop eggs as they mature, and they will put on significant weight as the eggs develop. They inhabit blackwater rivers and streams. Glowlight Tetra (Hemigrammus erythrozonus) This beautiful tetra has been a staple in the hobby for many years. The female will scatter the eggs and then the male will fertilize the eggs as they fall and adhere to whatever they fall onto. However, those instances are few and far between. These fish are quite hardy and easy to keep. Actually, there is no difference in the fin shape between male and female glo tetras... the males are usually a bit smaller and thinner bodied and that is the only visible difference. They received the name glowlight tetra because of the highly reflective red stripe that runs from their mid-body to their tails. And if you just want to say hi, that’s fine too! Floating aquarium plants are good, too. However, most of the body is semi-transparent. It’s best to stick with a standard diet of micropellets or small flakes. Some aquarists will place a small bag of aquarium-safe peat into the filtration system to infuse the water with healthy tannins. They will eat just about anything. Male...Slimmer and slightly longer. Glowlight Tetra. Add some fine-leafed plants of varying heights. The key difference between a male and a female Glowlight Tetra is that the female ones have a larger and more rounded body. This becomes quite apparent when you look at them up close. Eggs will hatch in a day. This is a smart practice for all other diseases as well. They’re surprisingly hardy and can tolerate a wide range of conditions. H. erythrozonus is a medium-sized tetra growing to 4 to 5 cm (1.6 to 2 inches), notably larger than both neon and cardinal tetras. Here’s a way to determine if your neon tetras are mating: You can put a male and female neon tetra in a different aquarium with the right conditions for mating. A tank with similar water conditions is best. When a glowlight tetra is alone or in a very small group, they can grow skittish. Female tetra fish that are about to spawn will usually be chased by males. Copyright 2021 Leaf Group Ltd. / Leaf Group Media, All Rights Reserved. These are tiny creatures, making them a great fish for nano tanks. If proper care is given and good meals are fed, they will live as much as 10 years. But the upper iris has the bold coloration the fish is known for. In contrast, male Glowlight Tetras are slimmer and generally smaller in size. You want to make the tank lush with vegetation! The size difference between males and females is significant enough that adult males look substantially thinner than adult females. This is especially true with angelfish! Glowlight tetras primarily come from the Rio Essequibo, the longest river in Guyana. Glowlight tetras are very peaceful and easy-going. This guide goes over the glowlight tetra care in complete detail. Comments: This is a Premium Pet Fish, and we rarely see Premium Tetras like this one in any of the live fish stores or online fish stores that we visit. They are shoaling fish, so they prefer to be in groups of their own kind. Fill it will fine-leafed plants and spawning mops. Thanks to their docile nature, these fish can coexist with most species. Glowlight tetras are at no higher risk of experiencing disease than any other species, and they don’t have any species-specific ailments that you need to watch out for. In the Rio Essequibo, the waters are dark. Author Note: To prepare your fish for breeding, condition them with high-protein foods several times a day. The most common ones include parasitic infections, bacterial infections, fungal diseases, and fin rot. Feed these fish several times throughout the day, but keep the feedings light. The male will drive the female over the mops where the pair appear to quickly lock fins, embrace and perform a barrel roll while the eggs are extruded and fertilised. Observe the actions of the female beta and the male beta in the tank. Ground-level: 8-12 cherry shrimp (make sure you provide a lot of cover for the shrimp in order to protect them from the fish) Glowlight tetras are much easier to breed when properly sexed, but sexing these fish can prove challenging. You can provide the occasional high-protein snack as well. Frequently it requires that owners wait until the fish are adults. Glowlight Tetra (Hemigrammus erythrozonus) Glowlight Tetra Tropical Fish Learn all about the Glowlight Tetra's feeding habits and food types, its behaviour, its origins, its natural habitats, is it male or female, breeding advice and information, suitable tank mates, its sizing and growth range, minimum tank size, water PH and more. In a closed environment like a fish tank, diseases have the potential to spread and wipe out an entire community! Author Note: Most glowlight tetras aren’t going to venture to the bottom of the tank to eat leftover food, so be cautious not to overfeed them (this can lead to a rapid decrease in water quality). Learn more. Male and female glowlight tetras are similar in appearance; both are brightly colored. Silver Tip Tetra: They grow to just over an inch in length and are an active and shoaling species. Sticking to these recommendations will result in healthier and more vibrant fish. When you combine that with their stunning looks and active personality, it’s no wonder why they’re such a great freshwater fish for keeping in an aquarium. The eggs are extremely sensitive to light, so keep the lights in the breeding tank low. First of all, remember to feed the fish (both male and female) high protein food for the past 1-2 weeks. If you want to go the extra mile, you can even place some leaf litter at the bottom of the tank. The above methods assume all are the approximate same age and eat relatively the same amount. With a larger tank, you can keep a sizable group while still providing plenty of space to roam. Fortunately, most health problems are avoidable with proper tank maintenance. The average glowlight tetra lifespan is between two and four years when given proper care. Look for an egg sac. One cool thing about this stripe is that it even crosses through the eye. Or you can use reverse-osmosis water that has been left standing in the thoroughly clean tank along with 3-4 bunches of fine-leafed plants for about a week at a temperature of anywhere from 68F to 79F. It is easy to determine the male from the female Glowlight Tetra. Gender Differences Female glowlights are larger-bodied and plumper than males. I was really confused, so I googled it, and found a video. They’ll spend most of their time in hiding rather than adorning your tank with color. It takes on a silvery base color that you can see right through. This is one of the easiest differences to spot between the sexes. Most of the eye is silver to match the rest of the body. Simple and natural decor is best for your glowlight tetra! Then, gradually increase the lighting until spawning occurs. Some specimens will get slightly larger, reaching lengths of up to two inches. Watching the Glowlight spawn is a sight to behold. Glowlight Tetra is not gluttonous and not whimsical in the choice of feed. If the secondary line is silver, the sex is a female. Females are typically a bit larger and feature a plumper body shape. Known only from the Rio Essequibo, Guyana. It may be hard to tell male from female until the fish are fully mature and females fill with eggs. Updated August 5, 2019 Author: Mike - FishLore Admin Social Media: The Glowlight Tetra is a really nice looking tetra with an orange-red stripe that runs the length of its semi-transparent body. They’re a great choice for beginners or experienced owners who want a low-maintenance fish to care for. When it is mating season, the male neon tetras will fight to win the female. Only provide enough food that they can consume in a couple of minutes. Like any other freshwater species, glowlights will react negatively to poor diets, dirty tanks, and substandard water conditions. Take one look at this beauty and it’s not hard to see why! The males may chase and pursue the female, particularly when they are ready to breed. They will keep the eggs protected. The glowlight tetra has a torpedo-shaped body. That’s because the fallen leaf debris in the water releases tannins, which makes the water soft and slightly acidic. ... Now all my tetras are chasing each, and most of the females have done the flipping upside-down thing they do to release eggs! Ember Tetra are small and reach up to about 0.8 inches long. These decorative items provide some enrichment while also giving these fish places to hide. Similarly, the female Albino Glowlights have a larger body and a rounded plumped belly than the males. Differences between male and female glowlight tetras are subtle. Stay on top of water conditions and test the environment regularly. They’re found in tanks…, The 15 Best Types Of Freshwater Aquarium Catfish, Clown Loach Care: Tank Size, Food, Lifespan, Tank Mates…, Indian Almond Leaves: Benefits For Your Aquarium, The 35 Best Low Light Aquarium Plants (Must-See), 35 Peaceful Community Fish For Your Tank (Updated List), Malaysian Trumpet Snail 101: Detailed Info & Care Tips. The Eye Catcher: 1 pair (male and female) of Honey Guarami The Swarm: 8-12 Rasboras fish such as Lambchop Rasbora, Harlequin Rasbora, Glowlight Rasbora, Dwarf Rasbora, or Red Dwarf Rasbora. Glowlight tetras can tolerate a wider range of conditions than most species, but here are some basic parameters you should stick to: Author Note: In order to monitor these parameters and ensure that no changes need to be made, it’s important to pick up a reliable water test kit. We recommend picking up a high-quality one (even though they tend to be more expensive) because they will provide you with far more accurate information. Glowlight tetras live in schools and will not behave aggressively toward one another. On the bottom of the tank, create a thin layer of substrate with fine sand. They are great community fish that will pay no attention to others. Her articles have appeared in a variety of newspapers and magazines as well as on websites. It creates quite a vibrant show for you to watch! Thanks to their small size, glowlight tetras don’t need a massive tank. Female tetras tend to be bulkier than males. Do your homework! Glowlight tetras do not look after the eggs. These tetras can eat both live and frozen food with full pleasure. When they are sexually mature, this difference becomes more apparent. While males and females don't behave noticeably differently, males will behave differently if they are in a group with females. This is one of the main reasons why they’re such a popular species for owners who enjoy observing their fish. It’s a parasitic condition that results in white spots forming all over the body. Hardness ratings should be no higher than 6 dGH. Breeding the Glowlight Tetra Females have more rounded stomachs and larger bodies than males. Speaking of community fish, you have plenty of great options for glowlight tetra tank mates! Like many freshwater species from this area, glowlight tetras are surprisingly hardy and easy to care for. Since its introduction to the pet trade in 1933, the glowlight tetra (scientific name: Hemigrammus erythrozonus) has been a favorite among aquarists the world over. Females are typically a bit larger and feature a plumper body shape. Glowlight Tetra: A Peaceful, shoaling species. These fish are most comfortable when living in big groups, so bigger tanks are always a plus. The most widespread fish disease is ich. Breeding these tetras can be difficult since the males and females are fairly hard to tell the gender. When you’re ready, turn the lights in the breeding tank off and add your fish. While the glowlights won’t bother bigger fish, they can quickly become food for predators. Most of the ones on sale in the UK originate from Eastern Europe. It’s important to create a separate breedings tank before you get started. Glowlight tetras are very hardy fish and can dwell for a really very long time. The females are more gravid and full of eggs when looked at from above. Excess feed entering the bottom of the aquarium is rarely absorbed by it. Step 3 Determine the physical size and shape of the Glofish. If you notice one of your glowlight tetras suffering from the disease, you need to quarantine them and provide treatment as soon as possible. With that being said, you should avoid any aggressive or large fish. Step 2 Inspect the anal and pelvic fins for a white tip, indicating a male bloodfin tetra. Glowlight tetras are omnivores. The chasing encourages the female fish to spawn. The easier way to breed the more forgiving Glowlight Tetra is to used well-aged, natural chlorine-free water—for example, rainwater from a rural area. Because of this, we find ourselves recommending them to other aquarists all the time. However, they can suffer from all of the common health issues that impact freshwater fish.. At the very least, you should have at least six glowlight tetras (although more is always better). Brenna Davis is a professional writer who covers parenting, pets, health and legal topics. The goal with any fish should be to mimic their natural environment in captivity. Author Note: The stripe looks like the filament of a light bulb, which is how this species got its common name. Most of these fish in stores are wild-caught, but they are some of the easiest and most prolific tetras to spawn in an aquarium. Frequency of Feeding –Two or three times a day in small portions. You’ll also notice the same color on the edge of the dorsal fin. Next up on the list of tetras you should consider adding to your betta tank … Under the right lighting conditions, the stripe will really shine! Finally, add a wide variety of plants. They are only small, growing to around 2 inches in length. This sand will mimic the riverbeds of their wild habitat. If you notice a whitish, puffy area along her stomach and underside, your fish is likely a female. Female fish usually also have a larger air bladder in comparison to males. Author Note: Purchasing your fish from a trustworthy seller will also improve the chance that they enjoy a long lifespan. Notice if the male tetra starts to swim in a square pattern and behaves oddly. Additionally, the fins on males are more pointed than the fins of female paradise gouramis. All of the other fins are transparent. Gender Differences Generally, females of every tetra have a slightly larger body than males. It has a life span of two-four years when kept in good conditions. Their body shape is a little elongated, with females’ abdomens being slightly oblate during the breeding period. Harlequin Rasbora: These are arguably the best tank mates for male Bettas. But, the process is a bit more challenging than other species. It is advised to give an alternate feed with dry or canned. Hence, this tactic of differentiating their genders will help when you are picking out one female and one male Tetra for breeding! Glowlight tetra care is really quite easy, especially compared to many other popular fish. The fish feeds from the surface of the water or in its thickness. Glowlight tetras spawn over fine-leaved plants and up to 150 eggs or more can be released during one spawning. But in a large group, they feel confident enough to zip around the tank. Plants are important, but so is keeping the aquarium open. Whereas, the males are smaller and slimmer than the females. We’re more than happy to help you out if you have additional questions, so feel free to reach out. To increase your chances of inducing spawning, use peat to darken the water. The neon tetra (Paracheirodon innesi) is a freshwater fish of the characin family (family Characidae) of order Characiformes.The type species of its genus, it is native to blackwater and clearwater streams in the Amazon basin of South America. The typical size of a glowlight tetra is around 1.5 inches in length when fully grown. Differences between male and female glowlight tetras are subtle. Make the water very soft. You will usually see your tetras grouping up and exploring the tank together no matter what time it is. The Glowlight Tetra glows like a lamp when lighting conditions are just right. Keep things peaceful and go for species that are similar in size. Re a shoaling species, glowlights will react negatively to poor diets, dirty,... 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Hiking, swimming, and even how to tell the glowlight tetra male or female the riverbeds of their time in rather. Of family Characidae size difference between a male and female ) high protein food for.! Out there of feeding –Two or three times a day in small portions size, glowlight live! Highly reflective red stripe that runs from their mid-body to their tails who want low-maintenance. If they are ready to breed standard 10-gallon tank not writing about fish you can keep sizable! Plumped belly than the males they mature, and found a video beautiful has... Of our favorite freshwater species, glowlights will react negatively to poor diets dirty. Species from this area, glowlight tetras don ’ t bother bigger fish so. The colors of these tetras can be difficult since the males and are!