Water parameters
Overview
The garnet tetra has a deeper body than other Hemigrammus species. Its body is greenish-silver; on the rear part there is a black, wedge-shaped mark extending toward the base of the tail, with a copper-gold band above it. The upper part of the eye is red. It is a hardy and compatible species, but it is not seen in stores as often as neons and cardinals.
Tank Setup
- At least 60 liters for a school of 8–12.
- 24–27°C, pH 6–7.5, soft to moderately hard water.
- Planted edges, a dark substrate and light softened by floating plants.
- 20–25% water change weekly.
Diet
Omnivorous. Flakes and small granules should be the staple; vary the diet with frozen brine shrimp, daphnia and bloodworms.
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; when kept in small numbers it retreats among the plants.
Good companions: small and medium-sized tetras, rasboras, corydoras, otocinclus, dwarf cichlids, dwarf gouramis.
Avoid: large fish that can fit it in their mouths, aggressive cichlids, fin-nipping species.
A short profile for this species
The Garnet 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 surinamensis
Cryptocoryne Parva
Gold Spot Pleco (L001)
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