About Glowlight Tetra
The Glowlight Tetra is a small but vibrant fish featuring a brilliant iridescent orange-red stripe running from nose to tail. This stripe appears to glow under aquarium lighting, giving the fish its common name. Native to the Essequibo River in Guyana, these peaceful fish add a warm splash of color to any community aquarium and are perfect for beginners due to their hardiness and adaptability.
Care Guide
Care Requirements
Tank Setup
Glowlight Tetras are undemanding and thrive in standard community setups. They appreciate planted tanks with open swimming areas.
Essential Setup:
- Heater maintaining 76-80°F
- Gentle filtration
- Dark substrate (essential for their stripe to glow)
- Moderate lighting (enhances their “glow”)
- Plants for security
- Open swimming space
Water Quality
- Temperature: 74-82°F (23-28°C)
- pH: 6.0-7.5 (adaptable)
- Water Hardness: Soft to moderate
- Ammonia/Nitrite: 0 ppm
- Nitrate: <20 ppm
Glowlights are adaptable and forgiving, making them ideal beginner fish.
Feeding
Omnivores:
- Small flake foods
- Micro pellets
- Frozen or live brine shrimp
- Daphnia
Feeding Schedule: 2 times daily.
Behavior & Compatibility
Peaceful fish suitable for:
- Community tanks with other small peaceful fish
- Tetra-focused aquariums
- Planted tanks
- Beginner setups
Avoid:
- Aggressive fish
- Large predators
- Fin-nippers
Visual Appeal
The orange-red stripe is iridescent and reflects light beautifully. Dark backgrounds and substrates are essential to see their “glow” effect. They look stunning when kept in groups of 10 or more, creating a river of orange light as they swim.
Tips for Success
- Dark gravel is essential for their glow effect
- Keep in groups of 8-10 minimum
- Combine with Neon or Cardinal tetras for multi-color display
- Very hardy and forgiving