Head and Tail Light Tetra

Thanks to the gold-orange spots above its eye and at the base of its tail, which glow as they catch the light, the head and tail light tetra is likened to a car's headlights and taillights. Right behind the bright spot at the tail base is a small black spot, and there is a faint dark spot on the shoulder. The body is silvery and semi-transparent.

It is very hardy, adapts to a wide range of water values, and farm-bred fish are easy to find. This makes it one of the best tetras for beginners.

It lives in the Amazon basin and the coastal rivers of the Guianas to the north, in slow-flowing streams, floodplains and the planted shores of lakes. It is found in both clear and tannin-stained waters. This wide distribution also explains why the species adapts easily to different water conditions in the aquarium.

• Volume: at least 60 liters for a school of 8–12.
• Water: 23–27°C, pH 6–7.5, soft to moderately hard water.
• Decor: planted edges and a dark substrate; it helps if some of the light reaches the fish so the spots glow.
• Maintenance: a 25% water change every week; moderate flow is tolerated.

Omnivorous and not fussy. Make flakes and small granules the staple and vary it with frozen brine shrimp, bloodworms and daphnia. Feed 1–2 meals a day, only as much as is eaten within a few minutes. Skipping food one day a week eases digestion.

Peaceful and active. Mild chasing occurs within the school, but it does not harm other species. It leaves adult shrimp alone but may eat their young.

Good companions: other tetras, rasboras, danios, corydoras, small livebearers, dwarf gouramis, peaceful dwarf cichlids.

Avoid: large fish that could fit it in their mouths and aggressive cichlids.

At least 8, ideally 12 or more individuals are recommended. In a large school, the bright spots moving together create an eye-catching sight in the aquarium. When kept in small numbers it becomes shy. The sex ratio does not matter. Completing the school in one go, or in two batches a short time apart, helps newcomers join the group.

It is an egg scatterer and breeds easily in the aquarium. A separate tank is prepared with soft, slightly acidic water and fine-leaved plants or a spawning mop. The parents are removed after spawning. The eggs hatch in 1–2 days; a few days later the fry become free-swimming and start feeding on infusoria.

• Hardiness: it is resistant to disease.
• White spot (ich): may appear after sudden temperature changes.
• Quarantine: keeping new fish separate protects the school.

Males have a whitish line on the anal fin and slimmer bodies. Females are larger with a plumper belly.