Head & Taillight tetra
The Head & Tail Light Tetra (Hemigrammus ocellifer) is a South American freshwater fish. Also known by the binomial synonyms Hemibrycon ocellifer and Tetragonopterus ocellifer it is found in the rivers of Guyana, Suriname, French Guiana, and the Amazon Basin of Brazil and Peru.
Most specimens offered for sale in the aquatics trade are tank-raised.
With a maximum size of 5 centimetres (2.0 in) the sexes are distinguished as mature females are fuller bodied.
Most specimens offered for sale in the aquatics trade are tank-raised.
With a maximum size of 5 centimetres (2.0 in) the sexes are distinguished as mature females are fuller bodied.
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| Hemigrammus ocellifer |
image source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/User:Deadlyballistics
Care
Captive-raised specimens will acclimatise to a wide range of aquarium conditions, water should be between pH: 6-8, dH: up to 18 degrees and the water at a temperature between 72 to 79 °F (22 to 26 °C).
A great species for planted community aquariums. Head & Tail Light Tetras must be kept in groups of 6 or more, and should be provided with floating plants to help diffuse any bright lighting. Hiding places and open swimming areas should be provided when aquascaping the tank, and consideration should be given to the fact that the colours of this fish show up best when they are housed in tanks with a dark substrate and background.
A great species for planted community aquariums. Head & Tail Light Tetras must be kept in groups of 6 or more, and should be provided with floating plants to help diffuse any bright lighting. Hiding places and open swimming areas should be provided when aquascaping the tank, and consideration should be given to the fact that the colours of this fish show up best when they are housed in tanks with a dark substrate and background.
Feeding
Easy to feed tetras will accept flake, micropellets, and frozen foods such as mosquito larvae, brineshrimp and daphnia.
Breeding
Considering that this is an egg-laying species, it is relatively easy to breed. A separate small planted breeding aquarium should be set up with soft, slightly acidic water, and the temperature set at the high end of their range. When morning sunlight hits the tank, spawning should commence, and anywhere between 200 and 1000 eggs can be laid. The parents should be removed immediately after spawning ceases, and the eggs will hatch in 24 hours.