More info
Hemigrammus erythrozonus
Glowlight Tetra
Classification
Characidae
Distribution
Known only from the Rio Essequibo, Guyana. Don’t expect to see any wild specimens for sale, though. All fish entering the trade are mass bred on commercial farms in various parts of the world. Most of the ones on sale in the UK originate from Eastern Europe.
Habitat
The Essequibo is the longest river in Guyana, and flows through a variety of biotopes. H. erythrozonus is found primarily in forested areas, in tributaries off the main river channel. The water here is typically stained a dark brown with tannins from decaying organic material and is often highly acidic as a result.
Maximum Standard Length
1.6″ (4cm).
Aquarium Size
A 24″ x 15″ x 12″ (60cm x 37.5cm x 30cm) tank could house a small group of these comfortably.
Maintenance
As it’s commercially bred in such huge numbers, it is adaptable and will do well in most tanks. It does look particularly effective in a heavily-planted arrangement, and can appear a little washed out in very spartan setups.
Water Conditions
- Temperature: 75-82°F (24-28°C)
- pH: 5.5-7.5. Although it will survive in slightly alkaline water, it tends to be more colourful when kept in acidic conditions.
- Hardness: 2-15°H
Diet
Easy to feed. It will readily accept just about anything offered. For the best condition and colours, offer regular meals of small live and frozen foods such as bloodworm, Daphnia and brine shrimp, along with dried flakes and granules.
Behaviour and Compatibility
One of the best tetras for the ‘general’ community setup. It is lively, quite colourful and peaceful. It’s a good tankmate for most livebearers, danios, rasboras, other tetras and peaceful bottom dwellers such as Corydoras or smaller Loricariids.
Sexual Dimorphism
Mature females are more rounded in the belly than males, and tend to grow a little larger.
Reproduction
Quite easily bred, although you’ll need to set up a separate tank in which to do so if you want to raise any numbers of fry. Something around 18″ x 10″ x 10″ in size is fine. The adults will eat the eggs given the chance and should be removed as soon as eggs are noticed. These will hatch in 24-36 hours, with the fry becoming free swimming a 3-4 days later.
There is a selectively-bred albino form that has been produced for the trade and has become popular in recent years. Like all Hemigrammus, the taxonomic status of this species is currently Incertae Sedis, meaning uncertain.
Ficha Técnica
- Nome da Espécie: Hemigrammus erythrozonus
- Ordem: Characidae
- Intervalo de pH: 5.5-7.5. Although it will survive in slightly alkaline water, it tends to be more colourful when kept in acidic conditions.-5.5-7.5. Although it will survive in slightly alkaline water, it tends to be more colourful when kept in acidic conditions.
- Intervalo de Temperatura: 75-82°F (24-28°C)-75-82°F (24-28°C)
- Dureza: 2-15°H-2-15°H
- Tamanho adulto: 0- 1.6″ (4cm).r(cm)
- Aquário recomendado: 0
