Glass Bloodfin Tetra

The Glass Bloodfin Tetra (Prionobrama filigera) is a unique and peaceful fish known for its strikingly clear, transparent body, which contrasts beautifully with its vibrant red tail and fins. It’s a hardy species and a great choice for community tanks.

---

 

Glass Bloodfin Tetra Care Guide

 

 

Tank Setup and Water Parameters

 

The Glass Bloodfin Tetra is fairly adaptable, though consistent water quality is important for their long lifespan.

• Minimum Tank Size: A 20-gallon long tank is recommended for a proper school, as they are active, mid-to-upper level swimmers and need ample room to dart and chase.
• Schooling: Keep a school of at least 6-8 individuals. In adequate numbers, they are bold and active; alone, they can become shy and hide.
• Temperature: Tropical range: 72°–82° F (22°–28° C).
• pH Level: Adaptable to a wide range: 6.0 to 7.5. They do well in soft to moderately hard water.

 

Habitat and Environment

 

Creating a comfortable habitat encourages their best coloring and behavior.

• Decor: Use a dark substrate to make their red fins stand out. Provide dense planting, driftwood, and rocks for hiding, but ensure there is plenty of open swimming space in the middle and upper water column.
• Lighting: They prefer subdued lighting, which can be easily achieved with floating plants.
• Caution: Like many tetras, they can be jumpers, especially if startled. A secure lid is strongly advised.

 

Diet and Feeding

 

The Glass Bloodfin Tetra is an omnivore that is not particularly picky. They are surface feeders.

• Staple Diet: High-quality flake or micro-pellet food that is small enough for their mouths.
• Supplementation: Their diet should be varied with small, meaty foods to maintain their health and vibrancy:
  • Frozen or live Brine Shrimp
  • Frozen or live Daphnia
  • Small Bloodworms
• Feeding Tip: They have small appetites and are easy to overfeed. Feed small amounts 1-2 times daily, only what they can consume in 2 minutes.

 

Compatibility

 

This fish is generally peaceful and hardy, fitting well into most community tanks. They may occasionally exhibit minor fin-nipping behavior if kept in too small a group, but this usually stops once a large school is established.

• Good Tank Mates: Other peaceful tetras, Corydoras catfish, peaceful loaches, dwarf cichlids, and other non-aggressive fish of a similar size.
• Avoid: Large, aggressive, or slow-moving fish with long, flowing fins (like Bettas or Angelfish), as these are often targets for fin-nipping.