Flame Tetra

Flame Tetra

First imported into Europe in the 1920's, the Flame tetra or Von Rio tetra is one of the most beautiful of all aquarium fish, especially when it is in its full breeding colors. One of the best sellers of all characins. One reason for its overwhelming popularity is the ability to survive in a wide temperature range. The Flame tetra gets its name from the colouration, they are very bright and lively. Flame tetra live best in a planted aquarium with hiding places.

They are distributed around South America in coastal rivers in eastern Brazil and around Rio de Janeiro in the Guanabara bay region, Paraiba do Sul, and Guandu River basins as well as Sao Paulo in the upper Tiete River basin.

Features
Approx. size: 2-3cm
Maximum size: 5cm
Family: Characidae
Origin: South America - Brazil
Ideal number kept together: 5+

Water conditions
pH: 5.5–7.5
Hardness: 18-215 ppm
Temperature: 22–27 °C

Ease of care
Easy. These tropical fish are great for hobbyist beginners.

Diet
Omnivore. The main food we recommend would be flake. Occasional live or frozen food can be given as a treat.

Compatibility
Community with no long-finned species. Other potential tankmates for flame tetras are most livebearers, danios, rasbora, other tetra and peaceful bottom dwellers.

Breeding / Sex
Another reason for this fish's popularity was its ease of breeding. It breeds in small tanks, has no particular needs, and spawn up to 500 eggs. The fry are quite hardy. Males are more colourful and females are usually slimmer.

Life Span
They can live to anything from 3-5 years in perfect conditions.

For more information on general fishkeeping and our shipping procedures click here.