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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
Edibility
Highly prized

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.

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.

Is the Glowlight tetra edible?

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

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Gloeilamp-tetra sourced
English name
Glowlight tetra sourced
Scientific name
Hemigrammus erythrozonus
Family
Characidae
Other names
Glo-lite tetra; Glow light; Glowlight tetra 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
Origin
Native inferred

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Omnivore inferred
Social behaviour
Schooling sourced
Territorial
No inferred
Activity
Diurnal inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes inferred
Sexual dimorphism
No inferred

For anglers

Edibility
Highly prized inferred
Fishing method
Klein van stuk en nauwelijks een hengelsportdoel; wordt vooral incidenteel of als aasvis gevangen. inferred
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless 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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