How difficult is it to keep Head-and-tail Light Tetra?

Beginner. This is a beginner-friendly species. No special equipment or experience is required, and it can be kept successfully with basic care setup.

What is the ideal temperature for Head-and-tail Light Tetra?

The ideal temperature for Head-and-tail Light Tetra is 24〜28℃. Avoid sudden temperature changes and maintain a stable environment.

What is the lifespan of Head-and-tail Light Tetra?

The average lifespan of Head-and-tail Light Tetra is 5-8 years. With proper care and nutrition, they can live a long and healthy life.

How large does Head-and-tail Light Tetra get?

Head-and-tail Light Tetra typically reaches About 4.5-4.9cm as an adult. Size may vary depending on care conditions and individual genetics.

What should I feed Head-and-tail Light Tetra?

Head-and-tail Light Tetra feeds on: Dried foods, frozen bloodworm, Daphnia, brine shrimp. Aim for a balanced diet with appropriate feeding frequency.

What is the typical price for Head-and-tail Light Tetra?

The price of Head-and-tail Light Tetra varies significantly depending on morph, size, and lineage. Check our market price page for the latest pricing information.

Source: Wikimedia Commons

Head-and-tail Light Tetra

Beginner

Holopristis ocellifera

A small characin with reflective red-gold marks above the eye and at the base of the tail, which look like two lamps and give it its name. Hardy, peaceful and easy to keep in a group.

Difficulty

Beginner

Temperature

24〜28℃

Lifespan

5-8 years

Size

About 4.5-4.9cm

Diet

Dried foods, frozen bloodworm, Daphnia, brine shrimp

About

Holopristis ocellifera is a small characin ranging widely from Guyana to the Amazon basin in Brazil and Peru. FishBase gives 4.9cm TL, pH 6.0-8.0, 5-19 dH and 22-26C, while Seriously Fish gives 24-28C, pH 5.5-7.5, 5-20 dGH and a base of at least 60 by 38cm, about 68 litres. Reflective red-gold marks sit above the eye and on the caudal peduncle, and their lamp-like look is what names the fish. It shoals in slow rivers and floodplain lakes, and males are smaller and slimmer than females. It is prolific and breeds readily in the aquarium. Almost every fish on sale is farmed, much of it from eastern Europe, and an albino strain is widely available.

Source: Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0)

Lifespan of the Head-and-tail Light Tetra

The Head-and-tail Light Tetra lives 5-8 years.

Size of the Head-and-tail Light Tetra

The Head-and-tail Light Tetra grows to About 4.5-4.9cm.

Temperature & humidity for the Head-and-tail Light Tetra

The ideal temperature for the Head-and-tail Light Tetra is 24〜28℃.

Basic Info

Origin

South America (Guyana, Suriname, French Guiana and the Amazon basin in Brazil and Peru)

Lifespan

5-8 years

Size

Care Specifications

pH: 5.5–7.5
Hardness (GH): 5–20 dGH
Water Temp.: 24–28℃
Min. Tank: 68 L

PeacefulGroupBreeding: Easy

Sources: Seriously Fish / FishBase

References & Sources

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

Taxonomy & Authority

Accepted name: Holopristis ocellifera (Steindachner, 1882)

Synonyms: Hemigrammus ocellifer

Authority databases: FishBase

Nomenclature follows global taxonomic authority databases.

Regulations & Conservation Status

Not CITES-listedIUCN LC · Least Concern

Sources: CITES Appendices (species not listed) / IUCN Red List

Regulations may change. Always verify the latest information with the relevant authorities.