Prionobrama filigera
Glass Bloodfin Tetra (Prionobrama filigera)
Glass Bloodfin Tetra (Prionobrama filigera)
Low stock: 5 left
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Remarks: A real classic in the hobby since they were first imported in 1931, the glass bloodfin tetra (Prionobrama filigera) is a unique and beautiful species. Most of its body is translucent with a blue-green iridescence save for the blood red tail it gets upon maturity and once settled in their environment. With how long they have been around, most specimens seen in the hobby are captive bred, but wild imports are occasionally available. Many have fallen in love with this species due to their ease of care, prolific spawning habits, and graceful coloration.
Glass bloodfin tetras can be found across the Amazon River basin in Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, Bolivia, and Brazil. Dwelling in a broad range of habitats from swift streams to calm blackwater pools, they are very adaptable which translates to their ease of care in the home aquarium. Glass bloodfin tetras will prefer soft, acidic parameters but can tolerate those leaning toward more neutral conditions. This combined with their peaceful nature makes them a great choice for a community tank or those just starting out in the hobby.
While they may be hardy and appreciate a lot of open space to swim, glass bloodfin tetras can be skittish if they have nowhere to hide, are not kept in appropriate numbers, or are housed with aggressive tankmates. To prevent these issues, we recommend providing hiding spots and breaks in line of sight such as with live plants, keeping groups of at least 6-8, and taking care when choosing tankmates.
Breeding glass bloodfin tetras is easy so long as they are given a good start and the typical methods for breeding egg-scatterers are adhered to. To start, it is recommended to get a large group with multiple males and females. You can tell them apart as when mature, female fish will have rounder bodies while males will be more streamlined, have a dark stripe next to the white seam on the anal fin that is present on both sexes, and sometimes have extensions to their fins. Once a good breeding group of glass bloodfin tetras is acquired, they should be conditioned with a high-quality diet. The upturned mouth structure they possess is a clue to their natural diet of surface-dwelling invertebrates so mimicking this diet rich in insect protein will be the most productive for conditioning. A conditioned breeding group or pair can then be placed over a mat of moss, yarn, or a mesh for the eggs to fall through where the fish can’t reach as they will eat their own eggs. Once the fry have hatched in a few days, they can be started on infusoria and then live baby brine shrimp once they are large enough.
Whether breeding the glass bloodfin tetra or just looking to keep them for personal enjoyment, they are a fantastic species that we think any keeper should have at least once.
Animal Data
Animal Data
- Native to: South America
- Breeding: Wild-caught in Colombia
- Max adult size: 2-3"
- Diet: Carnivore
- Social behavior: Peaceful
- Care skill: Beginner
Tank Parameters
Tank Parameters
- Temp range: 73°F - 84°F
- pH range: 5.5 - 7.5
- TDS range: 15 ppm - 200 ppm
- Min Tank Size:
Shipping Info
Shipping Info
We provide premium next day air shipping at affordable flat rates to minimize transit time for the health of the fish.
| US Zone 1 | UPS/FedEx Overnight | $39.99 |
| US Zone 2 | UPS/FedEx Overnight | $49.99 |
| US Zone 3 | UPS/FedEx Overnight | $59.99 |
| US Zone 4 |
UPS/FedEx Overnight |
$69.99 |
| Puerto Rico, Hawaii, Alaska | UPS/FedEx Overnight 1-2 Day Air | Starts at $89.99 |
| Canada | UPS/FedEx Overnight -2 Day Air | Starts at $89.99 |
| Florida | UPS/FedEx 1 Day Ground | $19.99 |
| Local pickup | Select at checkout | No charge |
| No overseas shipping | ||
Minimum order for all shipping is $50 for mainland US, $100 elsewhere. Saturday delivery available for an extra $30. Shipping to Alaska and Canada is not flat rate and can be subject to additional fees based on location.
Important order and shipping info
Allow 2-4 business days to process and pack your order. You will receive a notification when it actually ships. Order cancellations are subject to a 10% restocking fee. Order changes cannot be made. However, if you wish to add to your order within 24 hours, you may place a second order with a request to combine the shipments. We will do our best to accommodate, however once an order is packaged and sealed it cannot be reopened.
Your order is covered by our Healthy & Happy Arrival Guarantee.
Why buy from us?
Our Healthy & Happy Arrival guarantee
We've been packing and shipping live fish for over 50 years. When you buy from us, you get the healthiest stock and most experienced live fish shipping in the industry. So you know you won't be disappointed!
Will my fish look like the picture?
The majority of fish on our website will NOT look like their photos upon their unboxing. Fish change in appearance depending on many factors, including mood, age, gender, and social status. Fish will naturally lose color during shipping and may appear faded upon arrival. Pictures are used as examples only. Pictures may be of mature fish with full color or juvenile fish without color. We encourage you to research the species as much as possible prior to ordering in order to familiarize yourself with the various appearances they may take on. Many species have females that look drastically different to their male counterparts, and many juveniles will not have as much color (or different colors) as their adult forms. If you have questions about how the fish will look, please review their information and email us if you have any questions.
How do I know which fish can go together in my tank?
Research the product descriptions on our website and use Google search to help decide which fish can go together. PLEASE do your research and email us if you have any questions. Also, we have a very active Facebook group called Imperial Tropicals Fishkeepers where you can learn from knowledgable and experienced fishkeepers.
How do you ship live fish? Sounds risky!
We've been shipping live fish for over 50 years. we use specialized packaging and techniques to ensure their health. See how we do it.
How much does shipping cost?
We provide premium next day air shipping at affordable flat rates to minimize transit time for the health of the fish.
| US Zone 1 | UPS/FedEx Overnight | $39.99 |
| US Zone 2 | UPS/FedEx Overnight | $49.99 |
| US Zone 3 | UPS/FedEx Overnight | $59.99 |
| US Zone 4 |
UPS/FedEx Overnight |
$69.99 |
| Puerto Rico, Hawaii, Alaska | UPS/FedEx Overnight 1-2 Day Air | Starts at $89.99 |
| Canada | UPS/FedEx Overnight -2 Day Air | Starts at $89.99 |
| Florida | UPS/FedEx 1 Day Ground | $19.99 |
| Local pickup | Select at checkout | No charge |
| No overseas shipping | ||
Minimum order for all shipping is $50 for mainland US, $100 elsewhere. Saturday delivery available for an extra $30. Shipping to Alaska and Canada is not flat rate and can be subject to additional fees based on location.
Important order and shipping info
Allow 2-4 business days to process and pack your order. You will receive a notification when it actually ships. Order cancellations are subject to a 10% restocking fee. Order changes cannot be made. However, if you wish to add to your order within 24 hours, you may place a second order with a request to combine the shipments. We will do our best to accommodate, however once an order is packaged and sealed it cannot be reopened.
Your order is covered by our Healthy & Happy Arrival Guarantee.
When will I get my order?
We need 2-4 days to select and pack your fish, you'll get a notification when it ships along with tracking info. It will arrive the next day or day after, depending on your location. See our Shipping Policy for full info.
What if my order is delayed? Will my fish be OK?
We ship hundreds of packages a week, and most are delivered without any issues thanks to our experienced team and premium air courier service. Our high-tech packaging is designed to sustain the animals a minimum of 2-3 days in the box, and in some cases longer, depending on the breed.
However, sometimes delays do occur. If this happens to your order, please document and contact us promptly following our inspection and documentation policies above in order to receive credit.
Can I change or cancel my order after it is placed?
Orders can be changed or cancelled within 24 hours, subject to a 10% restocking fee. Shipping is stressful for the animals and we cannot open boxes once they have been prepped and packed.
Can you hold my order until my tank is ready?
We can hold for a few days, but not beyond a week as inventory changes rapidly. Please only place your order when you know you will be ready to receive them.
What if my order is missing something?
First, please check the box and packaging thoroughly. If you are sure an item is missing please contact us immediately.
Do you offer pickup on local orders?
Yes! Just specify local pickup as your shipping option in checkout and we'll let you know when it is ready.
What if a fish I receive seems dead, sick or doesn't look right?
97% of our orders arrive without an issue. But if something goes wrong, no worries! You're covered under our Healthy & Happy Arrival Guarantee