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Head and Taillight Tetra
Hemigrammus ocellifer
Animalia›Chordata›Actinopterygii›Characiformes›Characidae
📍 Amazon & Orinoco Basins, South America
Named for the golden spots that glow at the head and tail — resembling headlights and taillights. One of the hardiest tetras, tolerating a wide pH and temperature range. Excellent beginner fish.
Care Guide
Diet
Head and Taillight Tetras are omnivores that thrive on a varied diet of high-quality flake foods, micro pellets, and small frozen foods like brine shrimp and daphnia. Feed small portions once daily, offering only what they can consume in 2-3 minutes. Occasional vegetable matter such as blanched spinach supports digestive health.
Behavior
These tetras are active, peaceful schooling fish that display their characteristic golden head and tail spots most prominently under good lighting. They occupy the mid-water column and exhibit constant, gentle movement throughout the tank. They are non-aggressive toward other peaceful species and show reduced stress and enhanced coloration when kept in groups of 6 or more.
Breeding
Breeding in captivity is possible but requires dedicated setup with soft, acidic water (pH 5.5-6.5) and dense vegetation or spawning mops. Condition breeding pairs with live foods for 1-2 weeks, then transfer to a separate breeding tank. Fry are tiny and require infusoria or liquid fry food initially; breeding success is moderate for experienced aquarists.
Tank Mates
Similar size, water requirements, and peaceful temperament; ideal school companions
Comparable size and behavior; both thrive in soft, slightly acidic water
Small, peaceful algae eaters that occupy different tank zones
Peaceful invertebrates that add bioload control; tetras may occasionally nip at young shrimp
Generally compatible but can be territorial; monitor for aggression in smaller tanks
Common Diseases
Ich (Ichthyophthirius multifiliis)
White spots on body and fins, rapid breathing, lethargy, rubbing against objects
Raise temperature gradually to 28-30°C, perform 25% water changes daily, use aquarium salt (1 tsp per 5 gallons) or commercial ich treatment for 7-10 days
Fin Rot
Frayed or deteriorating fins, discoloration at fin edges, lethargy
Improve water quality with frequent partial water changes, reduce stocking density, treat with antibacterial medication if severe; ensure good filtration
Neon Tetra Disease
Loss of coloration, spinal curvature, erratic swimming, gradual wasting
No cure exists; isolate affected fish to prevent spread, maintain pristine water conditions, consider euthanasia if suffering; prevention through quarantine is essential
Columnaris (Flexibacter columnaris)
White or gray film on body, mouth rot, fin deterioration, rapid breathing
Increase aeration and water changes, treat with antibacterial medication, maintain temperature at 24-26°C, improve tank hygiene and reduce stress
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Quick Facts
- pH
- 5.8–8.5
- diet
- omnivore
- maxSize
- 1.75 inches
- minTankSize
- 15 gallons
- temperature
- 72–82°F (22–28°C)
Temperature
72–82°F
22–28°C