Product Details

Red Diamond Flame Tetra – Hyphessobrycon flammeus

The Red Diamond Flame Tetra is a bright captive-bred form of the classic Flame Tetra, valued for its warm red body colour, sparkling scale effect and peaceful shoaling behaviour. Also sold as the Flame Tetra, Von Rio Tetra, Fire Tetra or Red Tetra, this small characin is ideal for mature planted community aquariums with calm tank mates, gentle flow and a proper group. It is colourful, active and manageable, making it a strong choice for aquarists wanting a compact tetra with plenty of visual impact.

Key Identification:

Common Name: Red Diamond Flame Tetra
Other Names: Flame Tetra, Von Rio Tetra, Fire Tetra, Red Tetra, Diamond Flame Tetra
Scientific Name: Hyphessobrycon flammeus
Strain / Form: Captive-bred Red Diamond ornamental strain
Fish Type: Tetra / Small Characin
Water Type: Freshwater

Natural Range & Habitat:

Hyphessobrycon flammeus is native to south-eastern Brazil, particularly around coastal drainage systems in the Rio de Janeiro region. Wild Flame Tetras inhabit small streams, slow-flowing waters and shaded forest creeks, including both dark-brown tannin-stained water and clearer streams with sandy bottoms.

The Red Diamond Flame Tetra is a captive-bred ornamental form, so its enhanced red colour and sparkling appearance have been developed through aquarium breeding. Its care should still be based on the needs of the wild species: clean, mature water, plant cover, gentle flow and low-stress surroundings.

Appearance & Adult Size:

Red Diamond Flame Tetras have a compact, slightly deep-bodied shape with bright red, orange-red or flame-coloured tones across the body and fins. The “diamond” effect may show as reflective scale sparkle, especially under good aquarium lighting and when the fish is settled.

Adults usually reach around 3.5–4 cm. Males are often slimmer and more intensely coloured, while females are usually fuller-bodied, especially when mature. Colour strength can vary depending on genetics, diet, mood, lighting and water quality.

Aquarium Suitability:

This species is well suited to planted community aquariums, smaller peaceful tropical tanks and South American-style displays. It appreciates open swimming space, plant cover, shaded areas and a darker background that helps bring out its red colour.

Red Diamond Flame Tetras are generally hardy once settled, but they still do best in mature aquariums with stable water quality. They are not suitable for aggressive communities, large predatory fish or bright bare tanks with no cover.

Recommended Aquarium Size:

A practical minimum is 60 litres for a group, with a tank length of at least 60 cm recommended. Larger aquariums are better for bigger shoals and mixed peaceful communities.

Keep in a group of at least 6, with 8 or more preferred where space allows. A proper group improves confidence, reduces stress and encourages more natural shoaling and display behaviour.

Water Conditions:

Temperature: 22–28°C
pH: 6.0–7.5
Hardness: Soft to moderately hard
Additional Notes: Red Diamond Flame Tetras prefer clean, stable water with gentle to moderate filtration. They show their best colour in mature planted aquariums with shaded areas and regular water changes. Avoid poor water quality, sudden parameter swings and unstable new aquariums.

Temperament & Tank Mates:

Aquarium Category: Community Fish

Red Diamond Flame Tetras are peaceful shoaling fish suitable for calm community aquariums. Males may display and chase lightly within the group, but this is usually harmless when they are kept in proper numbers.

Suitable tank mates include other small peaceful tetras, rasboras, pencilfish, dwarf cory-type catfish, Otocinclus, small gourami, peaceful livebearers in suitable water and gentle dwarf cichlids. Avoid large predators, aggressive cichlids, fin-nipping species, very boisterous barbs and slow long-finned fish that may be stressed by active tetras.

Feeding:

Red Diamond Flame Tetras are small omnivores. In nature, Flame Tetras feed on small insects, worms, plant material and other tiny foods. In the aquarium, offer fine flakes, micro pellets and small slow-sinking granules as the staple diet.

Supplement with frozen or live foods such as daphnia, cyclops, baby brineshrimp, mosquito larvae and finely chopped bloodworm. A varied diet helps maintain red colour, body condition and active shoaling behaviour.

Behaviour in the Aquarium:

This is an active midwater shoaling fish that moves through open swimming areas and planted cover. Settled groups are bold at feeding time and will often display stronger red colour when kept against a darker background with subdued lighting.

Males may spar and display to females or rival males, especially in good condition. Breeding may occur in mature aquariums, with eggs scattered among fine-leaved plants or spawning mops. Adults may eat eggs and fry, so separate breeding arrangements are needed if you want to raise young.

Care Notes:

Keep Red Diamond Flame Tetras in a proper group and add them only to a mature, stable aquarium. Provide planted cover, gentle flow, clean water and suitably sized peaceful tank mates.

This species is usually adaptable and hardy once settled, but colour and condition decline in poor water quality or stressful surroundings. Avoid keeping them in very small groups, bare tanks or with aggressive fish. Captive-bred stock is strongly preferred, as wild Flame Tetra populations have faced habitat pressure in parts of their natural range.

Recommended For:

Beginner to intermediate

Availability:

Occasional / Captive-bred ornamental strain

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, fin shape, body tone and markings can occur between individual fish.