All fish / Characidae

Flame Tetra

Hyphessobrycon flammeus

Also known as red tetra, von rio tetra, rio tetra, flame tetra, tetra von rio, red von rio tetra, フレームテトラ, 红扯旗, 火焰灯

A small, deep-bodied tetra. The front half is silvery and the rear half and fins turn a rich red, with two dark bars behind the gill cover and black edges on the fins. It is hardy, cheap and colourful, so it is a good choice for planted community tanks.

Care at a glance

Care level

Easy

Temperament

Peaceful

Adult size

3.5 cm

Temperature

22 to 28 °C

pH

5.5 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 daphnia, bloodworm and brine shrimp

Swims

Middle of the tank

Lifespan

3 to 5 years

Water

Freshwater

Wild range

Coastal rivers of southeastern Brazil around Rio de Janeiro

Breeding

It scatters eggs over fine-leaved plants or spawning mops and does not guard them, so the adults will eat the eggs if left in. In a separate tank with soft, slightly acidic water, spawning is fairly easy, and the tiny fry need infusoria at first.

Good to know

Its range in the wild is shrinking because of habitat loss around Rio de Janeiro, so captive-bred fish are the better buy. Males can nip a little among themselves, but it seldom bothers tankmates when kept in a proper shoal.