Glass Bloodfin Tetra (Prionobrama filigera)

Prionobrama filigera, or the Glass Bloodfin Tetra as it is scientifically known, is a small but enchanting freshwater fish that is well-liked by aquarium enthusiasts. Its shimmering appearance and transparent body give it a distinct look that sets it apart from other colorful species in any tank.

This species is indigenous to South America, where it grows well in streams and rivers with clean, leisurely currents. The Glass Bloodfin Tetra is a popular choice for community tanks in home aquariums because of its peaceful nature and attractive appearance.

Even for novices, taking care of the Glass Bloodfin Tetra is not too difficult. It is simple to feed and adapts well to different water conditions. But maintaining the health and happiness of this delicate fish requires knowing its particular requirements and the right tank mates.

Aspect Details
Scientific Name Prionobrama filigera
Common Name Glass Bloodfin Tetra
Origin South America
Size Up to 5 cm (2 inches)
Temperament Peaceful, good for community tanks
Water Conditions Temperature: 22-28°C (72-82°F), pH: 6.0-7.5
Diet Omnivore, eats flakes, pellets, live and frozen foods
Tank Size Minimum 20 liters (5 gallons)

Habitat and Range

South America: Located in Ecuador, Colombia, Peru, Bolivia, and Brazil, as well as in different regions of the Amazon River basin.

This fish’s morphology and behavior suggest that it lives in smaller streams, rivers, and tributaries rather than the main channels.

Shallow waters with a high plant content are home to the species (aquatic and marsh plants, decomposing organic matter, branches, etc.d.). Typically, the substrate is composed of silt, pebbles, and sand.

Normal biotope

Amid the tangle of fallen branches and roots in a small section of flooded forest close to the city of Barcelos.

A large portion of organic matter found in water provides food for a variety of fish and invertebrates. For numerous fish species, fallen branches, bark, twigs, and thick layers of leaf litter covering the bottom serve as a source of food and cover.

Description

The body has a strong side compression and is elongated. The anal fin’s front edge has a white stripe and a crescent shape, while the caudal fin’s base is red.

The body either shimmers with every color of the rainbow or is as transparent as glass, depending on the lighting within the aquarium.

Size:

A tetra of medium size reaches a maximum length of 6 cm.

Behavior and compatibility

This is generally a peaceful species that can coexist peacefully in similar conditions with many other species. Male rivals have a tendency to fight with one another, which is one of the many excellent reasons why they should always be kept in groups of at least six or eight people.

Many South American species, including other similarly sized characins, corydoras, small loricariid catfish, apistograms, microgeophages, and in a tank of the right size, even slightly larger cichlids like angelfish or discus, will get along well with them in the tank. Steer clear of placing larger, faster species in the same sections of the tank as these tetras can become uncomfortable in situations where there is a lot of competition for food and space.

Aquarium

A 70-liter capacity tank is suitable for a small gathering.

There should be plenty of open swimming space in the tank because this active pelagic species is typically found in the upper water layers in the wild. When housed collectively in a densely planted tank featuring sections of floating plants, they appear especially striking. Fish can be a little nervous at times, especially when they are first introduced to a new tank, so surface vegetation will help to calm them down.

As a substrate, use river sand and sprinkle in some branched driftwood. A few dried oak or beech leaves scattered across the substrate can add a lot of naturalness to the scene.

Water Parameters:

In the range of 23 to 27°C pH: easily adjustable, 6.0–7.5 is the range Hardness: 25° dGH and higher

A weekly third of the water should be changed via active filtration and aeration.

Feeding

This species’ upturned mouth and slightly keeled body shape imply that it primarily eats tiny invertebrates that are caught on the water’s surface in the wild.

While most fish actively consume dry food, live and frozen foods like cyclops, bloodworms, and daphnia are preferred in aquariums.

The fish will reward you with its best coloring and natural behavior if you feed it a variety of foods.

Sexual Dimorphism

Mature females, especially when they’re not quite ready to spawn, have a notably fuller belly than many small characins. Males are said to develop slightly longer dorsal and anal fins, as well as a dark stripe next to the white marking that is present in both sexes on the anal fin.

Males reach sexual maturity at a standard length of 42 mm, while females reach a standard length of 45 mm.

Breeding

Not hard, but if you want to raise a good number of fry, you’ll need to use a separate aquarium.

About 20 liters is the spawning tank. To provide a spot for the fish to lay their eggs, this should have some small-leaved plants, like Java moss, and be softly lit. As an alternative, you could place some mesh over the tank’s bottom. The mesh ought to be both big enough for the eggs to fall through and tiny enough for the breeders to not be able to get to them.

The water should be between 27 and 29 degrees Celsius, with a pH of 6.0 to 7.0, gH of 1 to 5, and a soft, acidic consistency. Although it’s not necessary to filter, a tiny air-powered sponge filter that gently bubbles will do no harm and could offer the fry a source of microorganisms to graze on.

They can reproduce in groups; six of each sex is a good number for breeding.

As an alternative, they might spawn in pairs. The fish are kept using this method in separate tanks, with groups of males and females. Choose the fattest female and the best-colored male, then move them to the spawning tank in the evening when the females are visibly full of eggs and the males are alert and energetic. Hopefully, they will hatch the next morning.

Either way, after they spawn, the adults should be removed right away because they will devour the eggs if given the chance.

Depending on the temperature, the larvae hatch in 14–36 hours, and the fry can swim freely in 3–4 days. For the first few days, until they are big enough to take microworms, brine shrimp nauplii, and cyclops, they should be fed infusoria.

An aquarium’s lifespan is roughly five years.

The Glass Bloodfin Tetra, with its translucent body and lively swimming style, is an eye-catching and calming addition to any aquarium. This species does best in an environment that is kept up to date, has clean water, and provides a balanced diet.

It’s a great option for community tanks because it gets along well with other peaceful fish, adding movement and life to the setup. For any aquarist, witnessing its schooling behavior is delightful.

With the correct care and attention, the Glass Bloodfin Tetra can make a fascinating and long-lasting addition to your aquatic environment.

With its transparent body and red-tipped fins, the Glass Bloodfin Tetra (Prionobrama filigera) is a colorful and resilient freshwater fish that is a favorite in aquariums. With its shimmering appearance and active schooling behavior, this peaceful species is easy to care for, thrives in community tanks, and adds a unique touch to any aquatic setup.

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Glass Bloodfin Tetra (Prionobrama filigera). Tight shoaling top dwelling fish. Community aquarium.

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Glass Tetra (Prionobrama filigera)

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Ivan Kononov

Experienced aquarist with an emphasis on breeding and keeping exotic aquarium fish. Author of many articles and books on the topic of aquarium keeping. Always in search of new species and interesting solutions for home aquariums. I believe that an aquarium is not only a home decoration, but also a means of studying nature and its laws.

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