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Glowlight tetra (Hemigrammus erythrozonus) — Characidae

Glowlight tetra

Hemigrammus erythrozonus
Family: Characidae

The Glowlight tetra (Hemigrammus erythrozonus) is a freshwater fish of the family Characidae that grows up to 3 cm.

Length
3.3 cm
Water
Freshwater
Diet
Omnivore
Behaviour
Schooling
Activity
Diurnal
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped
Substrate
Mixed bottom
Danger
Harmless
Range
South America: Guyana
Edibility
Highly prized

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Description

The Glowlight tetra is a small characin (Characidae) from fresh water of the Essequibo basin in Guyana. The species grows to about 3 cm and has a slender, partly translucent body. A conspicuous red-gold, glowing longitudinal stripe runs over the flank. As a schooling fish it swims in clear streams and rivers and eats small insects, larvae and plant material. The fish is harmless to humans and is popular in the aquarium trade.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Glowlight tetra?

The Glowlight tetra has a torpedo-shaped body and is mainly silver-grey.

Where does the Glowlight tetra live?

The Glowlight tetra lives in fresh water and is mostly found around mixed bottom. South America: Guyana

How big does the Glowlight tetra get?

The Glowlight tetra grows to a maximum of about 3 cm.

Is the Glowlight tetra dangerous to humans?

No, the Glowlight tetra is harmless to humans. This species is harmless to humans. No specific first aid is needed. Still handle the fish with care: mind the fin rays and the sharp edges of the gill cover, and rinse any scratch with clean water and cover it. For a dirty or deep wound check tetanus status.

Is the Glowlight tetra edible?

Yes, the Glowlight tetra is a highly prized food fish.

More photos

Glowlight tetra (Hemigrammus erythrozonus) — Characidae — 2
SAIAB (CC BY 4.0) via GBIF — SAIAB
Glowlight tetra (Hemigrammus erythrozonus) — Characidae — 3
Wikimedia Commons — Jofre (Public domain)
Glowlight tetra (Hemigrammus erythrozonus) — Characidae — 4
Wikimedia Commons — Strolgen (Public domain)
Glowlight tetra (Hemigrammus erythrozonus) — Characidae — 5
iNaturalist ((c) aquarist-watch, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
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All data

Identification

English name
Glowlight tetra sourced
Scientific name
Hemigrammus erythrozonus
Family
Characidae
Other names
Glo-lite tetra; Glow light; Glowlight tetra; Fire neon verified

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
3.3 verified
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
Silver / grey sourced
Tail shape
Forked inferred

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Freshwater sourced
Substrate
Mixed bottom sourced
Natural range
South America: Guyana sourced
Origin
Native inferred

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Omnivore inferred
Diet (detail)
Invertebrates, algae and detritus inferred
Social behaviour
Schooling sourced
Territorial
No inferred
Activity
Diurnal inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes inferred
Sexual dimorphism
No inferred
Seasonality
Present year-round in its habitat; no pronounced seasonality known. inferred

For anglers

Edibility
Highly prized inferred
Fishing method
Small in size and barely an angling target; mostly caught incidentally or as baitfish. inferred
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless verified
First aid
This species is harmless to humans. No specific first aid is needed. Still handle the fish with care: mind the fin rays and the sharp edges of the gill cover, and rinse any scratch with clean water and cover it. For a dirty or deep wound check tetanus status. verified

Status & sources

Sources
FishBase via GBIF (DwC-A), CC-BY-NC 4.0

Same genus Hemigrammus

More from the family Characidae

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