© Dirk-Peter Gartner / CC BY 3.0Green Fire Tetra
The Green Fire Tetra is a small characin whose lower body glows red while its back carries a soft green sheen. It's the smallest of the three Aphyocharax species commonly seen in the hobby, and it isn't especially common in the trade. Active and quick to shoal, a group of these fish brings real movement to a tank. They do have a habit of nipping fins, though, so tankmates should be fast swimmers that can hold their own. Considered an intermediate-level fish, it rewards keepers who already have some experience managing water quality and shoaling species. Understated at first glance, its colors shift beautifully with the light — a subtle standout for more experienced aquarists.
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Apply as a breederGreen Fire Tetra key facts
- Care level
- Intermediate
- Lifespan
- 5-10 years
- Size
- About 4.5cm (FishBase gives 7.1cm SL)
- Temperature
- 20〜26℃
- Diet
- Dried foods, frozen bloodworm, brine shrimp, Daphnia
- Tank
- Seriously Fish suggests a base of at least 60 by 30cm, about 54 litres at 30cm depth. It lives where floating or overhanging plants cast shade, so plant well to cut the light while leaving open water to swim in.
- Water Temperature & Quality
- Seriously Fish gives 20-26C, pH 6.5-7.5 and 2-20 dGH; FishBase gives pH 6.0-7.5, hardness to 20 dH and 20-26C. It tolerates the cooler end, but hold it steady in the middle of the range for colour.
- Tank Mates
- It has a reputation as a fin nipper, so keep it with quick-moving fish and avoid long-finned species. A proper group spreads the aggression among themselves, so introduce a decent number at once.
- Diet & Feeding
- In the aquarium it is not fussy and takes most prepared foods. Offer live or frozen fare regularly to keep it in condition.
- Breeding & Spawning
- Use a separate tank with clumps of fine-leaved plants such as java moss; the eggs are adhesive and the plants shelter them while spawning continues. Filter with an air-driven sponge. Condition the adults in the main tank on plenty of bloodworm and brine shrimp, and holding the sexes apart ensures they spawn only in the breeding tank. Spawning usually begins within about twenty-four hours of the move, often first thing in the morning, and may run to 500 eggs. These hatch in two to three days and the fry swim four to five days later.
- Health & Notes
- FishBase lists it as IUCN Least Concern, not on the CITES appendices and harmless to people. Sources differ widely on its size, so allow margin when planning for the fish it will become. It is also scarce, which makes assembling a proper group harder.
About Green Fire Tetra
The Green Fire Tetra is a small characin known for its striking red-and-green coloration. As the smallest Aphyocharax species in the trade, it's an intermediate-level fish best paired with fast-swimming tankmates.
7 things to know before welcoming a Green Fire Tetra
1Choose Fast Tankmates
Green Fire Tetras have a habit of nipping fins, so slow-moving fish or those with long, flowing fins can end up targeted. Pairing them with equally quick, active swimmers keeps the tank calmer for everyone.
2Keep Them in a Group
This species naturally shoals, and small numbers tend to look skittish and unsettled. Keeping a proper group lets them display their natural schooling behavior and spreads out any fin-nipping tendencies.
3Small but Very Active
Adults reach around 4.5cm, a compact size, but they're quick and constantly on the move. They fit well in modestly sized tanks, though they still appreciate open swimming space.
4Not Always Easy to Find
Of the three Aphyocharax species seen in the hobby, this one is the least commonly available. If you spot one you like, it's worth checking in regularly since availability can be limited.
5Color Shifts With Light
The red lower body and pale green back are the main draw, but how vivid they look depends on lighting. A calmly lit, planted layout tends to bring out their coloration best.
6An Intermediate-Level Fish
This species is generally considered suited to more experienced keepers. It can be sensitive to sudden water quality changes, so a solid grasp of water changes and stability helps a lot.
7Set Up the Tank First
Avoid housing them with aggressive or much larger fish. Preparing a tank with calm, similarly fast-swimming tankmates and a settled layout beforehand makes the transition much smoother.
Frequently asked questions about Green Fire Tetra
- Q.Can Green Fire Tetras be kept with other fish?
- A.Yes, they do well with calm, fast-swimming tankmates. Because they have a habit of nipping fins, it's best to avoid slow movers or fish with long, flowing fins.
- Q.How many should I keep together?
- A.Since this species naturally shoals, keeping a proper group tends to work better than just a couple of fish. Smaller numbers can lead to fin-nipping being concentrated on one or two tankmates.
- Q.Is this a good fish for beginners?
- A.It's generally considered an intermediate-level species. If you're completely new to the hobby, it may help to first get comfortable with water quality management using a hardier tetra.
- Q.How big do they get?
- A.Adults reach around 4.5cm, making them one of the smaller characins. They're also the smallest of the three Aphyocharax species kept in the hobby.
- Q.Can you tell males and females apart?
- A.Body shape and color intensity are sometimes used as rough clues, but reliably sexing this species by appearance alone is difficult. If you're considering breeding, keeping a group and observing behavior is a more practical approach.
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