Water parameters
Overview
The flag tetra is recognized by the three-colored stripe running along the middle of its body: a red-orange line on top, a whitish one in the middle and a black one at the bottom. This arrangement earned it the name "flag." The upper part of the eye is red. It turns up in the trade only occasionally; it is a calm and compatible schooling fish. Its colors look their best in soft, slightly acidic water.
Tank Setup
- At least 60 liters for a school of 8–12.
- 24–27°C, pH 6–7, soft water.
- Dark substrate, roots, leaf litter and planted edges.
- A mature aquarium and regular weekly water changes.
Diet
Omnivorous. Alongside small granules and flakes, offer frozen brine shrimp, cyclops and daphnia. Its mouth is small; offer fine food and limit feeding to 1–2 meals a day.
Behavior and Compatibility
A peaceful and calm schooling fish; it does not bother other species. In a large group it becomes bolder and more colorful. It leaves adult shrimp alone.
Good companions: small tetras, pencilfish, rasboras, corydoras, otocinclus, dwarf cichlids, shrimp.
Avoid: large predators, active fin-nipping species, aggressive cichlids.
A short profile for this species
The Flag Tetra page has the basics, but the sections below have not been written yet. If you keep this species, write a section from your own experience; it will be published under your name after editor approval.
Tank mates
This list is calculated automatically from the species profile and grows as new species are added to the catalog. Try it in the planner for a definite answer.
Usually compatible
Flame Tetra
Blackfin Corydoras
Polystictus Corydoras
Emerald Cory
Porthole Catfish
Keyhole Cichlid
Cupid Cichlid
Geophagus altifrons
Geophagus surinamensis
Cryptocoryne Parva
Should not be kept together
Hobbyist notes
Things you won't find in books, learned by trial and error. The most helpful ones are on top.
Change history and contributors
- Page created · October 16, 2026