Flame tetras are increasing in popularity these days. Their delicate yellow and red color and schooling behavior makes them ideal candidates for planted community tanks. But how easy are these tiny tetras to keep? And are they right for your fish tank?
What is the Flame Tetra?
It is not the most common aquarium fish anymore but the flame tetra has a long legacy in the aquarium hobby.
They were first offered as pets in 1920, a few years before they were even described by scientists. Their alternative name of Von Rio tetra or Von Rio fire tetra refers to the largest city in their home region of Rio de Janeiro.
Their latin name of Hyphessobrycon refers to the fish being “small in stature.” Most fish in this genus are 1 to 2 inches long. And as you’d expect, flammeus means “flame colored” in Latin.
They are sometimes confused with ember tetras (Hyphessobrycon amandae) or even sold under that name. Ember tetras are related but thinner, a little smaller, and don’t have any yellow scales.
Flame tetras are endangered in the wild and at risk of extinction. Habitat loss, pollution, and introduced predators are all decreasing their numbers. They aren’t being pressured by the aquarium hobby, though.
All flame tetras you find are raised in captivity. One day, wild stocks may be reinvigorated by these captive-bred tetra fish.
- Common Names: Flame Tetra, Von Rio Tetra, Von Rio Flame Tetra, Fire Tetra
- Scientific Name: Hyphessobrycon flammeus
- Origin: Southeast Brazil
- Length: 1 inch
- Tank Size: 10 gallons
- Temperament: Peaceful; Schooling
- Ease of Care: Easy
Flame Tetra Care
Flame tetras are hardy and non fussy eaters. So long as you keep them in medium to large groups they will be peaceful inhabitants for small fish community tanks.
Flame Tetra Tank Size
I recommend flame tetras if you want a tetra species that will thrive in a smaller aquarium. Most tetra fish require at least 20 gallons of space.
Even though they are small fish, tetras are so active that they use way more of it than a fish of similar size. Plus they live in schools, increasing their space and water needs.
But flame tetras are small, even for tetras. An adult is no larger than 1 inch, making a 10 gallon tank good for a small school. More space is better but they won’t feel cramped here.
If you want a school of von rio tetras along with a selection of tank mates of equal size then go with 20 or 30 gallons of water volume.
Plants and Substrate Choices
Flame tetras are one of my favorite recommendation for planted fish tanks. Their red and orange colors look incredible as they dart in and out of shady plant growth. Flame tetras need plants (or spawning mops) to scatter their eggs on.
And as carnivorous fish they won’t nip plants. A bad habit of larger omnivorous species like the Buenos Aires tetra (Hyphessobrycon anisitsi).
Plants and a dark substrate ensure that your flame tetras will show the brightest possible colors. They get passed by in pet stores because the pale gravel and bright lights cause the fish to wash out their colors.
In nature, they live in plant-filled creeks and small streams running through shaded forests. So the lower your lighting the better. Floating plants will also help keep light levels comfortable for orange von rio tetra fish.
Sand or gravel will work fine as a substrate for flame tetras. These fish swim in the midwater zone and don’t spend much time along the bottom. Gravel as a plant substrate has its advantages and disadvantages, as does sand for plants.
If you want to replicate the flame tetra natural habitat then a soft, sandy bottom with decaying leaves is best. Indian almond leaves also release tannins, lowering the pH in the process.
Water Conditions for Tetra Von Rio Fish
Tetra fish are sensitive to water conditions and the flame tetra is no exception. These fish aren’t hard to keep alive but they will be the first to die if ammonia levels start to increase.
Don’t add flame tetras to your tank until the biological cycling process is complete and your filter bacteria are established. If you don’t perform fishless cycling then use guppies and other hardy livebearers as your first aquarium inhabitants.
Ammonia and nitrite should at or close to 0 parts per million at all times. And if there are detectable levels of either then start looking for a dead fish, excess leftover food, or other sources of ammonia.
Nitrate is less toxic but should remain at or around 10 to 20 ppm. If you keep live plants these levels will ensure they continue to get the nitrogen they need. But won’t cause your flame tetras undue stress.
Water temperature is critical since these are tropical fish. Temperatures of 73-83℉ will keep their metabolisms active and appetite normal. Cold conditions stress tetra fish and increase their already high chances of catching aquarium fish ich. Once tetras get ich they are hard to cure.
Last, maintain a pH that is acidic to neutral in chemistry (pH 5.5-7.0). Alkaline conditions are tolerable for long periods. But the appetite, disease resistance,and spawning urges of flame tetras are affected by water hardness.
Decaying plant matter and driftwood are not only good decorations; they also buffer the water towards acidit.
What do Flame Tetras Eat?
Von rio tetras are carnivores and feed on small invertebrates in nature. Aquatic insects, worms, water fleas, and fish fry are the kinds of food they hunt. So their diet should be high in protein and supplemented with fresh and frozen foods.
All flame tetras are all captive raised these days so they accept flakes and pellets with gusto. Choose micro pellets as the tiny mouths of these tetras won’t be able to handle larger pieces of dry food.
From there, feed them smaller kinds of fresh food. Brine shrimp are easy for flame tetras to eat but bloodworms may be too big for smaller adults. Daphnia are also good options but don’t feed these too often since they may cause constipation.
Feed flame tetras two to three times per day, as much as they will eat in 2 to 3 minutes. Be careful not to overfeed since leftover food will decay into toxic ammonia.
Flame Von Rio Tetra Tank Mates
As long as they aren’t living alongside territorial or predatory fish, flame tetras will coexist with any aquarium fish. Some tetras are known to be fin nippers, like black skirt tetras (Gymnocorymbus ternetzi).
Flame tetras are peaceful and keep to themselves. The males will fight at times, circling and nipping at each others’ fins. But they don’t bother other fish and are safe even alongside long-finned fancy guppies or crowntail betta fish.
Tank mates no larger than 3 inches are best. Even if they are peaceful fish, larger inhabitants may cause them stress. Nano fish like chili rasboras and celestial pearl danios are good options. As are live bearing fish, danios, and dwarf gouramis.
Cichlids are usually not a good choice but there are several dwarf cichlids that are compatible with flame tetras. Apistogramma and German blue rams are some of the most common species in the hobby.
For bottom dwelling tank mates, cory catfish are best. They come from the same area and prefer identical water conditions. Cory cats stay small and eat fallen food before it decays, polluting water quality. Flame tetras are peaceful towards freshwater shrimp and snails as well.
Breeding the Flame Tetra
Flame tetras will breed for you as long as you meet their water quality needs. Planted tanks also have high levels of organic substances that encourage tetras to spawn.
Flame Tetra Male vs Female
Sexing flame tetras is challenging since the visual differences are so minor. Males tend to be a little smaller than adult females. They also have curved bony hooks in the pelvic and anal fins, absent on females.
Male flame tetra colors are more intense most of the time. As well as when challenging rival males or preparing to spawn.
Spawning Flame Tetras
Besides good food and water quality flame tetras need a proper spawning area. These fish are egg scatterers, so they provide no parental care. But dense plant growth is important for them.
Live plants are their preferred spawning place but some aquarists find plants too fussy. Some kinds like guppy grass and Java moss need next to no care, however. Commercial spawning mops are also suitable and are easy to remove once the fish lay their eggs on them.
Tetra eggs are small and sticky. Each female lays anywhere from 200 to 500 at a time. Pairing off with a single male during the dawn or dusk hours when light levels are low.
The fry will hatch in 48-72 hours but don’t need food for the first 48 hours. They feed on their yolk sack.
Once they lift off the bottom of the tank and become free swimming, the fry should be fed cultured infusoria for one week. After 7 days they will be large enough to eat live baby brine shrimp nauplii.
Conclusion
Flame tetras are old aquarium favorites making a comeback. They are small enough for even 10 gallon tanks. And peaceful enough to live with most community fish of the same size range.
FAQs
Flame tetras are a smaller species of fish. One inch is the maximum size for adult females. Males will be a little smaller than this.
As schooling tetras you should keep no fewer than 6 flame tetras together. Any less and they will spend most of their time hiding. If you have space, keeping even more tetras is always better.
