All fish / Characidae

Green Fire Tetra

Aphyocharax rathbuni

Also known as rathbun's tetra, redflank bloodfin, green fire tetra, rathbuni tetra, green fire bloodfin, rathbun's bloodfin, グリーンファイヤーテトラ, 绿火焰灯, 红翅火焰灯

A slender little tetra with a shimmering green to blue sheen on the back and a bright red lower belly and fin bases, which deepen in colour in a planted tank. It is active, hardy and sociable, making it a good choice for community aquariums with other small, calm fish.

Care at a glance

Care level

Easy

Temperament

Peaceful

Adult size

4 cm

Temperature

20 to 26 °C

pH

6 to 7.5

Smallest tank

60 litres

Keep as

Shoal of 8 or more

Diet

Omnivore: quality flakes and micro pellets with live or frozen bloodworm, daphnia and brine shrimp

Swims

Middle of the tank

Lifespan

3 to 5 years

Water

Freshwater

Wild range

Paraguay and Paraná river basins (Paraguay, Brazil, Argentina)

Breeding

An egg scatterer that spawns among fine-leaved plants or a mesh and gives no parental care, so adults will eat the eggs if left in. Breeding in a separate tank with soft, slightly acidic water is fairly easy, and the tiny fry need infusoria at first.

Good to know

Fast swimmers that may nip long-finned tankmates if kept in too small a group, and they can jump, so a tight lid is advised.