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Flame Tetra

Fire Tetra ~ Von Rio Tetra

Family: CharacidaeFlame Tetra, Fire Tetra, or Von Rio TetraHyphessobrycon flammeusPhoto © Animal-World Courtesy: David Brough
Latest Reader Comment - See More
I just got one today and he is already gaining more and more color and they really are such pretty fish!  Jane Stranson

   True to ts namesake, the Flame Tetra sports a very beautiful fiery red coloring!

   The coloring of the Flame Tetra, also called the Fire Tetra or Von Rio Tetra, is generally silver in the front but becomes a fiery red on the back, especially at the base of the fins. When they are exposed to a lot of disturbances, they become very timid and their coloring will pale. They don't always show off real well in pet store aquariums where they are exposed to a lot of activity, and for this reason are not the most popular of tetras.

   To keep them best in your aquarium, provide them with a pleasant envorinment with friendly tankmates. Once the Flame Tetra is established in a calm aquarium they become very active. They are no longer timid and are a very pretty fish. They are happiest in a school of 6 or more and do best if kept with other smaller fish in a peaceful environment. They are hardy fish and are very easily bred. As a matter of fact, they are recommended for a beginner that wishes to experience fish breeding!

For more Information on keeping this fish see:
Guide to a Happy, Healthy Freshwater Aquarium


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Geographic Distribution
Hyphessobrycon flammeus
Data provided by FishBase.org
  • Kingdom: Animalia
  • Phylum: Chordata
  • Class: Actinopterygii
  • Order: Characiformes
  • Family: Characidae

Habitat: Distribution / Background

   The Flame Tetra, also called the Fire Tetra or Von Rio Tetra, was described by Myers in 1924. They are found in South America in coastal riversin Eastern Brazil, around Rio de Janeiro where they feed on worms, small crustaceans, and plants.

  • Scientific Name: Hyphessobrycon flammeus
  • Social Grouping: Groups
  • IUCN Red List: NE - Not Evaluated or not listed

Description

    The Flame Tetra is a deep bodied fish with the typical tetra shape. They are silver in the front but becomes a fiery red on the back, especially at the base of the fins. There are two black stripes that run up and down behind the gills and they have a blue eye ring.

  • Maximum Size: 1.5 inches (3.81 cm)

Fish Keeping Difficulty

  • Aquarium Hardiness: Very Hardy - While this fish is very hardy, water cleanliness should be meticulously maintained as this fish is somewhat more susceptible to Ich and other infections.
  • Aquarist Experience Level: Beginner

Foods and Feeding

   Since they are omnivorous the Flame Tetra, Fire Tetra, or Von Rio Tetra will generally eat all kinds of live fresh and flake foods. To keep a good balance give them a high quality flake food everyday. Feed brine shrimp (either live or frozen) or blood worms as a treat.

  • Diet Type: Omnivore
  • Flake Food: Yes
  • Tablet Pellet: Yes
  • Live foods (fishes, shrimps, worms): Some of Diet
  • Vegetable Food: Some of Diet
  • Meaty Food: Some of Diet
  • Feeding Frequency: Several feedings per day

Aquarium Care

  • Water Changes: Bi-weekly

Aquarium Setup

   Hardness: to 25° dGH (prefers 10°)
   Ph: 5.8-7.8 (prefers 6.5 to 7.0)
   Temp: 72-82° F (26-28° C)

  • Minimum Tank Size: 10 gal (38 L) - A ten gallon is the smallest size that could house the small school this fish requires to be comfortable.
  • Substrate Type: Any
  • Lighting Needs: Moderate - normal lighting
  • Temperature: 73.0 - 82.0° F (22.8 - 27.8° C)
  • Range ph: 5.5-7.5
  • Hardness Range: 3 - 15 dGH
  • Brackish: No
  • Water Movement: Moderate
  • Water Region: All

Social Behaviors

   The Flame Tetra is a good peaceful fish recommended for all community aquariums. They are happiest in a school of 6 or more and do best if kept with other smaller fish in a peaceful environment.

  • Venomous: No
  • Temperament: Peaceful
  • Compatible with:
    • Same species - conspecifics: Yes
    • Peaceful fish (): Safe
    • Semi-Aggressive: (): Threat
    • Shrimps, Crabs, Snails: Safe - not aggressive
    • Plants: Safe

Sex: Sexual differences

   The male has a blood red anal fin while the females is lighter and sometimes yellow. The black tip on the pectoral fin is seen only on the female. Picture of a Flame Tetra, Fire Tetra, or Von Rio Tetra

Breeding / Reproduction

   The Flame Tetra, Fire Tetra, or Von Rio Tetra are egg layers. See the general description of how to breed egg laying fish in Breeding Freshwater Fish.

  • Ease of Propagation: Moderate - Although breeding is not particularly difficult, females are often disinterested in spawning. Additionally, the fry require extremely clean water and are not especially robust.

Availability

   The Flame Tetra, also called the Fire Tetra or Von Rio Tetra, is readily available.

References

Animal-World References
Freshwater Fish and Plants Tropical Fish ~ Freshwater Fish ~ Aquatic Plants

Author: David Brough. CFS.


Hyphessobrycon Flammeus Flame Tetra Hyphessobrycon Flammeus Flame Tetra
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Price: $1.99
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Hyphessobrycon Flammeus Orange Flame Tetra Hyphessobrycon Flammeus Orange Flame Tetra
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Price: $2.99
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Lastest Comments on Flame Tetra

Jane Stranson - 2011-10-06
I just got one today and he is already gaining more and more color and they really are such pretty fish!

Click For Replies (2)
  • Charlie Roche - 2011-10-07
    Awesome
  • Alex Burleson - 2011-10-07
    I agree, they are very beautiful additions to almost any community aquarium!
Reply
Terry Terblanche - 2011-07-21
I have 20 of them and 20 neons in a tank. They are about 3 cm long and the females are almost ready spawn.

Reply
riley - 2009-02-22
Wow, I didn't know these were extinct. I usually feed them to my fish, I better use a new fish now. ...or almost extinct.

Reply
harry - 2009-01-06
I have 4 flame tailed tetras, unfortunately two of them are very aggressive towards all my other fish. I haven't got spawn as I only have had them a week or so. Anyone got any ideas to pasify them as they are gorgeous. plz help?

Reply
Rachel - 2006-10-01
I love these guys! I have a few, one of which is almost 2 years old. He's the oldest in my tank! They're the perfect size; not too big, not too small. Their color is subtle yet stunning. :D

Reply
John Toledano - 2006-05-13
I am an aquarist in Rio de Janeiro and very sadly this little beauty is almost extinct here. It's the only endemic species of the State of Rio de Janeiro and due to insertion of other species and predatorial fishing, we no longer see them any more.
There is currently a research program in one of our universities trying to repopulate some streams and rivers.
Thank you.
John Toledano

Reply

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