Flame Tetra Care Guide: Warm Glow for Community Tanks
The flame tetra (Hyphessobrycon flammeus), also called the Von Rio tetra, is a warm-toned beauty that has been a staple of the aquarium hobby for over a century. Its orange-red body with dark shoulder markings creates a gentle, glowing effect in planted tanks. This flame tetra care guide from Gensou Aquascaping at 5 Everton Park will help you bring out the best in these underrated community fish.
Flame Tetra Overview
Flame tetras originate from coastal rivers near Rio de Janeiro in Brazil. They grow to 3–4 cm and live for three to five years. The front half of the body is silver with two dark shoulder bars, transitioning to a warm orange-red on the rear half, fins and tail. Males are more intensely coloured and slimmer than females. Despite being one of the first tropical fish imported to Europe in the early 1900s, they remain widely available and affordable.
Tank Requirements
A school of eight to ten flame tetras thrives in a 60-litre tank or larger. They prefer slightly cooler water than many tropical species, doing best between 22 °C and 26 °C. In Singapore’s warm climate, an air-conditioned room suits them well. Target a pH of 5.5–7.5 and GH of 3–12 dGH. They enjoy gentle water flow and a well-planted environment with shaded areas.
Diet and Feeding
Flame tetras eat just about anything. Quality tropical flake and micro pellets serve as the staple. Supplement with frozen or live daphnia, brine shrimp and bloodworm to enhance colour. They feed at all levels but prefer mid-water. Feed small amounts twice daily. A varied diet brings out their warm orange-red tones — monotonous feeding results in duller colouration.
Tank Mates
Flame tetras are among the most peaceful tetras available. They coexist happily with other small tetras, rasboras, Corydoras, otocinclus, dwarf gouramis, cherry barbs, dwarf shrimp and snails. Avoid large or aggressive species. Their gentle nature makes them ideal for planted community tanks and even well-stocked shrimp tanks — they rarely bother adult cherry shrimp.
Aquascaping
Flame tetras show their best colours against dark substrate and lush green plantings. Their warm orange tones contrast beautifully with cool green plants like Java Fern and Bucephalandra. Provide both planted areas for shelter and open swimming space. Driftwood with catappa leaves creates a soft, tannin-stained environment that enhances their colour and replicates their natural blackwater-adjacent habitat.
Breeding
Flame tetras breed easily in soft, slightly acidic water. They are egg scatterers — condition a pair on live foods, then place them in a dimly lit breeding tank with fine-leaved plants. Spawning occurs in the morning, with 100–200 eggs scattered among vegetation. Remove adults after spawning. Eggs hatch in 24–36 hours, and fry eat infusoria then baby brine shrimp. They are one of the easiest tetras to breed deliberately.
Common Health Issues
Flame tetras are exceptionally hardy and disease-resistant. They tolerate a wider temperature and parameter range than many tetras. Ich is the most likely issue, typically triggered by sudden temperature drops. Their resilience makes them excellent candidates for beginners who want a colourful, easy-care schooling fish without the fragility sometimes associated with more exotic tetra species.
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