Glowlight Tetra
Hemigrammus erythrozonus
Also known as Glowlight
Edited by Ivan F. · Reviewed
Beginner verdict
One of the best tetras for a general community, lively and adaptable with a glowing orange line along its side. It gets along with most livebearers, rasboras, corydoras and dwarf cichlids. Keep a good-sized group in a planted tank and it rewards you with calm, steady color.
Care at a glance
- Min tank size
- 18 US gal
- Footprint
- 24 x 15 in
- Temperature
- 75–82 °F
- pH
- 5.5–7.5
- Hardness
- 2–15 dGH
- Swim zone
- Mid-Water
- Min group
- 6 fish
- Lifespan
- Not well documented
Glowlight Tetra care mistakes to avoid
The mistakes beginners most often make with this species.
- Do not buy just one or two. Keep at least 6 fish so they feel secure.
- Keep it warm. It wants warmer water than some cooler-water community fish.
- Do not mix it with fish large enough to see it as food.
- Avoid bright, bare tanks. Plants and a dark substrate make its glow far stronger.
- Check your tank before you buy. Our sourced minimum is 18 US gallons.
Glowlight Tetra tank mates and swim zone
Mid-Water
Spends most of its time in this part of the tank.
Poecilia reticulata
Poecilia wingei
Xiphophorus maculatus
Poecilia sphenops
Trichogaster chuna
Trichogaster lalius
Paracheirodon innesi
Their temperature ranges barely overlap, so you will have little room for error.
Danio rerio
Their temperature ranges barely overlap, so you will have little room for error.
Barbodes semifasciolatus
Their temperature ranges barely overlap, so you will have little room for error.
Betta splendens
Betta often does best alone. Only try this in a larger, planted tank, and watch closely.
Tanichthys albonubes
Their temperature ranges do not overlap, so one of them would always be stressed.
Xiphophorus hellerii
Swordtail is big enough to eat or bully a fish as small as Glowlight Tetra.
Carassius auratus
Goldfish suit cooler water and are not suited to tropical tanks, so Glowlight Tetra is a poor match.
Trichopodus trichopterus
Blue Gourami is big enough to eat or bully a fish as small as Glowlight Tetra.
Glowlight Tetra feeding and care
How to feed
- Feed flakes or small pellets, which it takes readily.
- Add frozen bloodworm or daphnia for the best color and condition.
- Feed small portions you can see finished within a couple of minutes, because overfeeding fouls the water fast.
Telling males from females
Mature females are rounder in the belly than males and tend to grow a little larger.
Plants that suit it
Species facts
- Family
- Characidae
- Native to
- Essequibo River, Guyana
- Adult size
- 1.6 in (4 cm)
- Temperament
- Peaceful
- Social needs
- Schooling/Shoaling (6+)
- Diet
- Omnivore
- Water flow
- Gentle
- Substrate
- Any
- Live plants
- Yes - Loves Plants
- Shrimp
- Adult Shrimp Only
- Fin nipping
- None
- Vulnerable to nippers
- No
- Breeding
- Moderate
Glowlight Tetra FAQ
What size tank do Glowlight Tetras need?
Our sourced minimum is 18 US gallons (68 liters), with a footprint of 60 x 38 cm. A bigger tank is always easier to keep stable.
How many Glowlight Tetras should I keep?
Keep at least 6 fish. Bigger groups usually look better and behave more confidently.
What can live with Glowlight Tetras?
Good matches on our list include Fancy Guppy, Endler's Livebearer and Platy. Avoid White Cloud Mountain Minnow and Swordtail.
How long do Glowlight Tetras live?
Lifespan is not well documented for this species. Stable water and a good diet help any animal live longer.
Are glowlight tetras good for beginners?
Yes. Because they are bred commercially in huge numbers, they adapt well to most well-kept tanks and get along with most peaceful fish.
Where to buy Glowlight Tetra
We have not found a store that sells Glowlight Tetra under its scientific name yet. We add stores as we confirm them.
Live animals and plants travel by courier. Check the store's live-arrival guarantee, and only buy once your tank has cycled (see how to cycle a fish tank).
Some US states restrict certain species. Check our US state aquarium rules table and your state's own rules before you buy.
Complete the tank
A forgiving setup with room for a small community.
Tank size for this species
At least 18 US gallons (68 L), 60 x 38 cm footprint
Filter
Hang-on-back or large sponge filter
Easy to maintain and strong enough for a community without blasting the fish.
We are still choosing products for this.
Heater
Adjustable heater, about 5 W per gallon: 100 W at 20 gallons, about 150 W at 29
Enough power to hold a stable temperature in most homes. Size up for a cold room.
We are still choosing products for this.
Water Conditioner
Dechlorinator such as Seachem Prime
Tap water contains chlorine or chloramine that harms fish.
Seachem Prime US
Fritz Complete Water Conditioner US
API Betta Water Conditioner US
sera aquatan Spain
Tetra AquaSafe Spain
Maker's page · Sold at Kiwoko · Sold at Tiendanimal · Sold at zooplus.es
Why we chose these (Best Water Conditioner for Betta Fish). Nobody here has used or tested them.
Test Kit
Liquid kit such as API Freshwater Master
Tracks ammonia, nitrite, nitrate and pH while the tank cycles.
API Freshwater Master Test Kit US
API General & Carbonate Hardness Test Kit US
Maker's page · Sold at The Shrimp Farm · Sold at Bulk Reef Supply
sera aqua-test box (Cl) Spain
JBL PROAQUATEST COMBISET Plus NH4 Spain
Why we chose these (Best Test Kit for a Freshwater Aquarium). Nobody here has used or tested them.
Cycle the tank before adding animals. See our guide on how to cycle a fish tank.