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Hemigrammus erythrozonus
A small tetra whose translucent body is crossed by a single glowing orange line. Hardy, peaceful, and beautiful in a school, it is an easy entry-level characin.
The glowlight tetra (Hemigrammus erythrozonus) is a small characin from the Essequibo River basin of Guyana in South America. Its name and chief charm come from a single orange-to-red line that runs from the eye to the base of the tail across a translucent, silvery body, appearing almost to glow. At 3-4 cm, it ranks alongside the neon tetra as a classic beginner characin. Very peaceful, it looks its best in schools of ten or more swimming in unison, and a dark substrate with soft, slightly acidic water deepens its color. Omnivorous, it accepts flakes, pellets, and frozen foods. Hardy and easy to keep, it nonetheless dislikes sudden swings in water quality or temperature, so acclimate it carefully. Small and gentle, it makes a fine tankmate for shrimp and other small fish. With good care it lives 3-5 years.
Source: Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0)
The Glowlight Tetra lives 3-5 years.
The Glowlight Tetra grows to 3-4cm.
The ideal temperature for the Glowlight Tetra is 24〜28℃.
Origin
The Essequibo River basin of Guyana, South America
Lifespan
3-5 years
Size
Edited & verified by: BreederDirect editorial team
The taxonomic, regulatory, and husbandry data on this page are compiled and verified against the authoritative primary sources below.
Primary sources
Accepted name: Hemigrammus erythrozonus (Durbin, 1909)
Authority databases: FishBase
Nomenclature follows global taxonomic authority databases.
FishBase: CITES Not Evaluated. Widely traded as a standard ornamental fish species.
Sources: FishBase / CITES Appendices (Checklist)
Regulations may change. Always verify the latest information with the relevant authorities.
Find listings for this species
3-4cm
Temperature
24〜28℃
Humidity
—
Omnivore (flakes, pellets, frozen food)
30cm+ (school of 10+ recommended)
Soft, slightly acidic; a dark substrate shows it off
Very peaceful; great with small fish and shrimp
Hardy but dislikes sudden water changes; acclimate carefully
Beginner. This is a beginner-friendly species. No special equipment or experience is required, and it can be kept successfully with basic care setup.
The ideal temperature for Glowlight Tetra is 24〜28℃. Avoid sudden temperature changes and maintain a stable environment.
The average lifespan of Glowlight Tetra is 3-5 years. With proper care and nutrition, they can live a long and healthy life.
Glowlight Tetra typically reaches 3-4cm as an adult. Size may vary depending on care conditions and individual genetics.
Glowlight Tetra feeds on: Omnivore (flakes, pellets, frozen food). Aim for a balanced diet with appropriate feeding frequency.
The price of Glowlight Tetra varies significantly depending on morph, size, and lineage. Check our market price page for the latest pricing information.
Last updated: June 25, 2026