ExploreFish

Glowlight Tetra

Hemigrammus erythrozonus

Glowlight Tetras are tiny fish that shimmer in the light! They are very colorful and love to swim in groups.

Habitat: Freshwater rivers

Appearance

The Glowlight Tetra has a slender, translucent body with a striking iridescent orange-red stripe running horizontally from its snout to its tail. Its fins are mostly clear, making the vibrant stripe the most distinctive feature against its silvery-pinkish hue.

KingdomAnimaliaPhylumChordataClassActinopterygiiOrderCharaciformesFamilyCharacidaeGenusHemigrammus

Glowlight Tetra

Interesting facts

A school of Glowlight Tetras looks like a living, glowing river of fish.

Their 'glow' is actually reflected light, not light they make themselves!

These tiny fish can easily be scared by loud noises or sudden movements!

They come from the winding rivers and streams of Guyana in South America.

Special abilities

Glowlight Tetra has a glowing stripe that helps them stick together in dark water, keeping their school safe.

Glowlight Tetra can make swift, darting movements to escape predators because of their agile, torpedo-shaped body.

Glowlight Tetra can hide from bigger fish by swimming in large groups, confusing predators with many moving targets.

Measurements & details

Length: 3-4 cm
Weight: 0.001-0.002 kg
Lifespan: 2-4 years
Swim Speed: 0.2 km/h
Max Depth: 2 m
Water Type: Freshwater

Diet & Feeding

Glowlight Tetras are tiny omnivores, nibbling on small bugs, algae, and bits of plant matter.

Primary Foods

insect larvae
zooplankton
algae
small crustaceans
detritus

Foraging Method

Foraging

Ecological connections

eats

water flea

Daphnia pulex

A primary food source for young and adult tetras.

eats

bloodworm

Chironomus plumosus

Larval form is a common food for tetras in the wild.

eaten by

Wolf fish

Hoplias malabaricus

A larger predatory fish sharing the same river systems.

shelters

Bristlenose Pleco

Ancistrus temminckii

Juveniles may hide among structures created by larger fish.

Traits

Wildlife

Step into the incredible world of wild animals and plants living freely in nature. From tiny insects to towering trees, it's all part of the wild wonders around us!

Social

Discover creatures that love to live and work together! These animals form groups, helping each other find food, stay safe, and raise their young.

Omnivorous

Meet versatile eaters who enjoy a wide variety of foods, from plants to other animals, allowing them to adapt to many different environments. They're nature's flexible diners!

Colorful

Discover amazing plants and animals that show off a dazzling array of bright and beautiful hues! They use their vibrant colors to attract attention or send signals.