Description
Glass Bloodfin Tetra (Prionobrama filigera)
Overview
he Glass Bloodfin Tetra (Prionobrama filigera), also commonly known as the Glass Tetra or Bloodfin Glass Tetra, is a peaceful, active schooling freshwater fish native to the Amazon River basin in South America (primarily found in Brazil and Peru).
- Appearance: Features a nearly transparent, translucent, glass-like body with a slender silhouette, allowing a glimpse of its spine and internal organs. Its standout feature is its brilliant, glowing red or orange-red caudal (tail) fin, which gives the species its common name. Males occasionally develop slightly elongated rays on their anal fins.
- Size: Grows to approximately 4.5 to 5 cm (approx. 2 inches) in length.
- Lifespan: Typically 5 to 8 years when provided with clean water and proper care.
Care Requirements
- Aquarium Size: Because they are exceptionally active, fast-swimming schooling fish that use the middle and upper levels of the tank, they require a good length of swimming space. A minimum tank size of 80 to 100 liters (approx. 2 to 3 feet in length) is recommended.
- Water Parameters:
- Temperature: 22°C to 28°C (72°F to 82°F)
- pH: 6.0 to 7.5 (they adapt well to slightly acidic to neutral water)
- General Hardness (GH): 5 to 15°H
- Filtration & Flow: Moderate filtration with gentle to moderate water movement. They appreciate clean, well-oxygenated water.
Maintenance
- Aquascaping: Replicate a natural South American habitat by using a dark substrate to highlight their translucent bodies, combined with dense background and peripheral plantings (such as sword plants, Vallisneria, or stem plants) and plenty of open swimming space in the center. Driftwood and roots add a natural touch.
- Water Quality & Changes: Perform regular partial water changes (20% to 25% weekly) to maintain pristine water conditions. A secure, well-fitting lid is essential, as these active surface-oriented swimmers are strong jumpers, especially when startled.
Diet
- Nature: Omnivorous and unpicky feeders. In the wild, they consume small insects, insect larvae, and microscopic crustaceans.
- Staple Diet: High-quality flake foods, micro-pellets, or granules.
- Enhancing Health & Color: Supplement their diet regularly with live or frozen foods such as daphnia, cyclops, artemia (brine shrimp), and finely chopped bloodworms.
Behaviour and Compatibility
- Temperament: Exceptionally peaceful, active, and social. They primarily occupy the middle and upper strata of the aquarium water column.
- Shoaling Needs: This is a strict schooling species that must be kept in a group of at least 8 to 10 individuals. Keeping them alone or in very small numbers leads to chronic stress, faded coloration, and hiding behavior.
- Tank Mates: Excellent for peaceful community setups. Good companions include other peaceful tetras, small rasboras, livebearers, dwarf cichlids, and bottom-dwellers like Corydoras catfish or loaches. Avoid housing them with large, aggressive predators or slow-moving, long-finned fish that might be nipped by their energetic activity.
Breeding Behaviour
- Spawning Setup: Set up a separate breeding tank with soft, slightly acidic water, dim lighting, and dense clusters of fine-leaved plants (like Java moss) or artificial spawning mops.
- Conditioning: Condition a group or a bonded pair with frequent feedings of high-protein live and frozen foods.
- The Process: Unlike egg-guarders, Glass Bloodfin Tetras are continuous egg-scatterers. Females deposit adhesive eggs among the fine vegetation, which are fertilized by the males as they spawn. Spawning typically happens in the early morning.
- Raising Fry: Adults do not show parental care and will consume their eggs and fry. Spawning mops or plants should be removed to a separate rearing tank after spawning occurs. The tiny fry hatch in 24 to 48 hours and require infusoria or liquid fry food for their first few days before they are large enough to accept newly hatched brine shrimp.
Picture for illustrative purposes only. Either come in store to view available stock or request pictures to be sent to you.
Please Note: Due to variations within species resulting from age, region, sex, etc., the actual livestock may not look identical to the image. Approximate size range may also vary between individual specimens.
