Glowlight Tetra
Hemigrammus erythrozonus
Also sold as Glowlight · Glowlights
Synonyms Hemigrammus gracilis
Glowlight Tetra (Hemigrammus erythrozonus) is a peaceful freshwater fish that reaches about 4 cm (1.6 in) and swims in open water in a shoal. It wants 72–82°F (22–28°C) and pH 5.5–7.5, is kept in groups of 6 or more, and needs a tank of at least 60 L (16 gal).
Check a freshwater stocking selection with your tank size and animal counts.
Try it in a tank
Put Glowlight Tetra in a 3D tank at your size and see how it sits with everything else. Free with an account.
At a glance
| Type | Fish |
|---|---|
| Adult size | 4 cm (1.6 in) |
| Minimum tank | 60 L (16 gal) |
| Group size | 6 or more |
| Temperature | 72–82°F (22–28°C) |
| pH | 5.5–7.5 |
| Temperament | Peaceful |
| GH | 2–15 |
| Lifespan | 2–4 years |
Before it goes in
- Glowlight Tetra needs at least 60 L (16 gal). The smallest size in this library that clears that is the Dennerle Nano Cube 60L.
- Keep 6 or more. Below that it hides, colours down and is far more likely to be picked on.
- It is the wrong size to share a tank with Goldfish, Angelfish and Axolotl: it ends up as food.
- It holds at 72–82°F (22–28°C). That shares a window with Betta and Cherry Shrimp.
- A group of 6 takes up roughly 44% of what a Dennerle Nano Cube 60L will comfortably hold, so plan the rest of the stock around it.
Glowlight Tetra: care and setup
What tank size does it need?
At least 60 L (16 gal). The smallest size here that clears it is the Dennerle Nano Cube 60L.
How many should I keep?
6 or more. Fewer than that and it spends its time hiding instead of out in the open.
What water does it want?
72–82°F (22–28°C), pH 5.5–7.5, GH 2–15.
How long does it live?
2–4 years in a tank that suits it. That is how long you are signing up for.
Good tank mates
- Tank mates from this library that share its temperature window, are peaceful and eat neither it nor its young: Cherry Shrimp, Bristlenose Pleco, Celestial Pearl Danio, Molly and Otocinclus.
- Plants that hold up with it: Hygrophila corymbosa 'Siamensis', Water Sprite, Anubias nana 'Petite' and Cryptocoryne wendtii.
Often compared with
| Glowlight Tetra | Head and Tail Light Tetra | Rummy Nose Tetra | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Adult size | 4 cm | 4.5 cm | 5 cm |
| Min tank | 60 L | 68 L | 75 L |
| Group | 6+ | 6+ | 8+ |
| Temperature | 72–82°F (22–28°C) | 75–82°F (24–28°C) | 75–84°F (24–29°C) |