Head and Tail Light Tetra

Hemigrammus ocellifer

Synonyms Beacon tetra

Head and Tail Light Tetra (Hemigrammus ocellifer) is a peaceful freshwater fish that reaches about 4.5 cm (1.8 in) and swims in open water in a shoal. It wants 75–82°F (24–28°C) and pH 5.5–7.5, is kept in groups of 6 or more, and needs a tank of at least 68 L (18 gal).

At a glance

Type	Fish
Adult size	4.5 cm (1.8 in)
Minimum tank	68 L (18 gal)
Group size	6 or more
Temperature	75–82°F (24–28°C)
pH	5.5–7.5
Temperament	Peaceful
Lifespan	3–5 years
Eats shrimp	Shrimplets only

Before it goes in

Head and Tail Light Tetra needs at least 68 L (18 gal). The smallest size in this library that clears that is the 20 Gallon High.
Keep 6 or more. Below that it hides, colours down and is far more likely to be picked on.
Adult shrimp are safe; shrimplets will be eaten, so a shrimp colony will not grow in the same tank.
It is the wrong size to share a tank with Goldfish, Angelfish and Axolotl: it ends up as food.
It holds at 75–82°F (24–28°C). That shares a window with Betta and Cherry Shrimp, but not with Goldfish and Dojo Loach.
A group of 6 takes up roughly 43% of what a 20 Gallon High will comfortably hold, so plan the rest of the stock around it.

What tank size does it need?

At least 68 L (18 gal). The smallest size here that clears it is the 20 Gallon High.

How many should I keep?

6 or more. Fewer than that and it spends its time hiding instead of out in the open.

Will it eat shrimp?

Adults are safe, shrimplets are not. You can keep shrimp with it; you just will not get a growing colony.

What water does it want?

75–82°F (24–28°C), pH 5.5–7.5.

How long does it live?

3–5 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

	Head and Tail Light Tetra	Glowlight Tetra	Rummy Nose Tetra
Adult size	4.5 cm	4 cm	5 cm
Min tank	68 L	60 L	75 L
Group	6+	6+	8+
Temperature	75–82°F (24–28°C)	72–82°F (22–28°C)	75–84°F (24–29°C)
Eats shrimp	Shrimplets only	—	Shrimplets only

More livestock

Plan a tank with Head and Tail Light Tetra →

Sources (5) · checked Sep 2026