Head and Tail Light Tetra (Hemigrammus ocellifer)

From The Aquarium Wiki

Contents 1 Alternative names 1.1 Synonyms 2 Sexing 3 Tank compatibility 4 Diet 5 Feeding regime 6 Environment Specifics 7 Behaviour 8 Identification 9 Pictures 10 External links

Alternative names

Head and Tail Light Tetra, Beacon Fish

Synonyms

Holopristis ocellifer, Tetragonopterus ocellifer, Hemigrammus ocellifer ocellifer

Sexing

The female is fuller in the belly than males. Also the pointed swim bladder of male can be clearly seen when viewed in a glass against the light, only part of the rounded swim bladder is visible in females.

Tank compatibility

A peaceful shoaling community fish that should be kept in groups of 6 or more. Keep with other peaceful community fish but avoid long-finned slow moving fish such as Angelfish and Betta splendens.

Diet

Will accept most foods including pellet and flake as well as live/frozen food such as brine shrimp and bloodworm.

Feeding regime

Feed once or twice a day.

Environment Specifics

Prefers a densely planted tank with dark substrate and floating plants and some open swimming space.

Behaviour

An active peaceful shoaling fish.

Identification

The body is oval-shaped and silver in colour. The back is arched and the dorsal fin stands tall. There are two black spots; one just behind the gill cover and the other at the base of the tail. A silvery-white line runs from the eye to the tail. The upper part of the iris is bright red and there is an orange to copper spot right above the black one at the base of the tail. The fins are transparent.

Pictures

External links

• Fishbase (Mirrors: )

• Badmans Tropical Fish
• Mongabay
• Head and Tail Light Tetra Fact Sheet at BettaTrading.com