HomeFreshwater aquarium fishTetras & characinsGlowlight tetra Glowlight tetra (Hemigrammus erythrozonus) Scientific name: Hemigrammus erythrozonus Durbin, 1909 The Glowlight tetra (Hemigrammus erythrozonus) is a freshwater fish of the family Characidae that grows to about 5 cm (2 in). It is easy to keep and peaceful, suits community aquariums and needs a tank of at least 40 L (11 US gal), water at 24–28°C (75–82°F) and a pH of 6.0–8.0. Native range: South America, Essequibo River. Glowlight tetra care at a glanceCare levelEasyTemperamentPeacefulCommunity tankExcellentAdult size5 cm (2 in)Minimum tank40 L (11 US gal)Temperature24–28°C (75–82°F)pH6.0–8.0Hardness5–12 dGH (89–214 ppm)DietOmnivore. Accepts flakes, freeze-dried foods and frozen foods. BiologyFeeds on worms, small crustaceans and plants. Maximum length questionable. Maximum length reported to reach 4 cm TL. A popular aquarium fish. Aquarium keeping: in groups of 5 or more individuals; minimum aquarium size 60 cm.Source: FishBase, licensed CC BY-NC 4.0. Species factsScientific nameHemigrammus erythrozonusFamilyCharacidae (Characins)OrderCharaciformes (Characins)ClassActinopterygii (Ray-finned fishes)Maximum length3.3EnvironmentFreshwater;; pH range: 6.0 - 8.0; dH range: 5 - 12 benthopelagicClimateTropicalDistributionSouth America: Essequibo River.Conservation status (IUCN)Not EvaluatedThreat to humansHarmlessUsesAquarium: highly commercialResilienceHigh, minimum population doubling time less than 15 months (Preliminary K or Fecundity.) More tetras & characinsHead-and-taillight tetraHemigrammus ocelliferGarnet tetraHemigrammus pulcherBleeding-heart tetraHyphessobrycon erythrostigmaFlame tetraHyphessobrycon flammeusBlack neon tetraHyphessobrycon herbertaxelrodiFlag tetraHyphessobrycon heterorhabdusSee all tetras & characins Can it live with...?Glowlight tetra and Black ghostGlowlight tetra and Black neon tetraGlowlight tetra and Black phantom tetraGlowlight tetra and Black sharkminnowGlowlight tetra and Blackbarred limiaGlowlight tetra and Bleeding-heart tetraGlowlight tetra and Bloodfin tetraGlowlight tetra and Bluespotted corydorasGlowlight tetra and Brilliant rasboraGlowlight tetra and Butterfly splitfinGlowlight tetra and Chinese suckerGlowlight tetra and Clown barbGlowlight tetra and Clown loachGlowlight tetra and Clown rasboraGlowlight tetra and Crescent bettaGlowlight tetra and Dwarf botiaGlowlight tetra and Dwarf rainbowfishGlowlight tetra and Eel LoachGlowlight tetra and Flag tetraGlowlight tetra and Flame tetraGlowlight tetra and Forktail rainbowfishGlowlight tetra and Gangetic leaffishGlowlight tetra and Garnet tetraGlowlight tetra and Glass catfishGlowlight tetra and Goldeneye cichlidGlowlight tetra and Head-and-taillight tetraGlowlight tetra and Horseface loachGlowlight tetra and Indian glassy fishGlowlight tetra and Lake Kutubu rainbowfishGlowlight tetra and Lemon tetra SourcesTaxonomy, distribution and biology data: FishBase (Froese, R. and D. Pauly, eds.), licensed CC BY-NC 4.0. Aquarium care parameters compiled, checked and converted to metric and imperial units by Guppies.za.net.Last updated 28 September 2026