Product Details

Glowlight Tetra – Hemigrammus erythrozonus

Overview:

The Glowlight Tetra is a classic peaceful shoaling fish with a bright orange-red stripe running from nose to tail, giving it a warm glowing effect under aquarium lighting. Hemigrammus erythrozonus is hardy, calm and well suited to mature planted community aquariums. It is especially effective in larger groups, where the shoal creates a soft ribbon of colour through the middle levels of the tank.

Key Identification:

Common Name: Glowlight Tetra
Other Names: Glo-light Tetra, Fire Neon, Glow Light, Glödbandstetra
Scientific Name: Hemigrammus erythrozonus
Fish Type: Tetra / Characin
Water Type: Freshwater

Natural Range & Habitat:

The Glowlight Tetra is native to South America, with FishBase recording it from the Essequibo River system. It is a freshwater, benthopelagic species, meaning it spends much of its time in the lower to middle water layers rather than living strictly on the bottom.

In the aquarium, it does best in mature, peaceful setups with plants, shaded areas, wood, darker décor and open swimming space.

Appearance & Adult Size:

Glowlight Tetras have a slim, translucent silver to peach-toned body with a vivid orange-red stripe running horizontally along the side. This stripe is usually mirrored by orange or red markings in the front of the dorsal fin, giving the fish its glowing appearance. Adults usually reach around 3.5–4 cm, with FishBase listing reported maximum size up to 4 cm TL.

Females are usually fuller-bodied than males when mature, while males may appear slimmer and slightly more intense in colour.

Aquarium Suitability:

This is an excellent fish for peaceful community aquariums, planted tanks and soft-water displays. Glowlight Tetras are active enough to be visible, but gentle enough for calm community setups. They suit aquariums with live plants, floating plants, bogwood, leaf litter, fine substrate and gentle to moderate filtration.

They are not suitable for aggressive cichlid tanks, large predatory fish, fin-nipping communities or immature aquariums with unstable water quality.

Recommended Aquarium Size:

A practical minimum is 60 litres for a group, with 90 litres or more preferred for a larger shoal and better stability. FishBase recommends keeping this species in groups of five or more and gives a minimum aquarium size of around 60 cm.

Water Conditions:

Temperature: 24–28°C
pH: 6.0–8.0
Hardness: Soft to moderately hard; softer stable water preferred
Additional Notes: FishBase lists H. erythrozonus at 24–28°C, pH 6.0–8.0 and hardness 5–12 dH. Captive-bred fish are usually adaptable, but they still show best colour in clean, mature water with subdued lighting and low stress.

Temperament & Tank Mates:

Aquarium Category: Community Fish

Glowlight Tetras are peaceful shoaling fish. Suitable tank mates include other peaceful tetras, rasboras, pencilfish, small danios, Cory-type catfish, Otocinclus, small plecs, gentle gouramis and peaceful dwarf cichlids in compatible water. Fishkeeper describes the species as peaceful and sometimes slightly shy, suitable for community aquaria with similarly sized fish.

Avoid large predatory fish, aggressive cichlids, persistent fin-nippers and very boisterous tank mates. Keep in a group of at least 6, with 10 or more preferred for best confidence, colour and natural shoaling.

Feeding:

Glowlight Tetras are easy-feeding omnivores. Offer quality fine flakes, micro pellets and small granules as the staple diet. Supplement with frozen or live foods such as daphnia, cyclops, brineshrimp, mosquito larvae and finely chopped bloodworm. FishBase records the natural diet as including worms, small crustaceans and plant matter.

Behaviour in the Aquarium:

This species usually swims in the middle levels of the aquarium, moving in a loose shoal among plants and open water. In larger groups, it becomes more confident and shows stronger colour. Under bright, exposed conditions it may appear washed out, so darker substrate, plant cover and floating plants help the glowing stripe stand out.

Care Notes:

Add Glowlight Tetras only to a mature, fully cycled aquarium. Keep them in a proper group, avoid sudden changes in water chemistry and maintain low nitrate through regular water changes. A secure lid is recommended, as small tetras can jump if startled. Most aquarium specimens are captive-bred and generally settle well when acclimated carefully.

Recommended For:

Beginner

Availability:

Common / Usually captive-bred

Image Disclaimer:

All images are a visual representation of the fish you will receive, made to be as accurate as possible. Natural variation in size, colour, pattern and markings can occur between individual fish.