Care Level: Easy

Temperament: Peaceful

Live Plant Safe: Yes

General Description: The Von Rio Tetra, also known as the Flame Tetra, is a stunning and peaceful fish that will spark a fire in your community aquarium. Restricted to the Rio de Janeiro in southwestern Brazil, Von rio tetra prefer shallow, slow-flowing tributary streams with abundant aquatic vegetation. All Von rio tetra available within the aquarium trade are commerically produced, however, so wild specimens are no longer collected. These aquacultured specimens are very hardy, already being acclimated to artificial environments. The Von rio tetra is vibrant orange-red posteriorly, and a light yellow-beige anteriorly. Less mature specimens, or ones that are not as comfortable in their environment, will appear more dull. There can also be some variation in color due to differences among commerical fishery stocks. Von rio tetras are natural shoaling fish, thriving and showing their best coloration with at least 6 individuals but more are encouraged. An adult Von rio tetra can reach a size of approximately 1″.

Diet Requirements: Von rio tetra are omnivores. A diet made up of various high quality vegetable based and protein based flake foods, sinking micro pellet foods and bug bites are ideal, in addition to offering frozen foods such as bloodworms, brine shrimp and daphnia. Variety is the spice of life in order to maintain color, immune function and longevity of your fish.

Care Requirements: A minimum 5 to 10 gallon aquarium is ideal for a small group of Von rio tetra. Size up accordingly to accomodate a larger shoal. Von rio tetra are one of our listed “hardy fish” because they are able to endure the initial break-in cycle of a newly set-up aquarium. The Von rio tetra is also a very adaptable species to a wide range of water parameters. The aquarium does not need to be aquascaped with anything in particular to keep a shoal of Von rio tetra happy, but a finer dark substrate, driftwood, plants (live are preferred) and other natural-looking arrangements will bring out the beauty of this tetra. Von rio tetra form loose hierarchies, and it is not uncommon to see a pair of males flared up at each other trying to get the attention of females. Given their more timid demeanor, Von rio tetra will do best in a calmer community aquarium, and at the very least should be mixed with other peaceful and similar-sized tetra species. Recommended water conditions, 74-82° F, KH 4-8, pH 5.5-7.5.

Purchase Size: Medium: 3/4” to 1”

Note: Your item may not look identical to the image provided due to variation within species. Purchase sizes are approximate.