Red Line Tetra (Hemigrammus rubrostriatus)

Remarks:  The red line or red stripe tetra (Hemigrammus rubrostriatus) is a rarely imported species originating from the Rio Caño Vitina in Colombia. Only described in 2015 by German ichthyologist, Axel Zarske, these tetras used to only be seen in the hobby as the occasional by-catch, but now they can be specifically imported occasionally. Upon viewing a mature, settled in red line tetra, it is easy to see that they are coveted within the hobby not just for their rarity, but also for their stunning appearance.

  Red line tetras are often described as larger, more colorful versions of the popular glowlight tetra (Hemigrammus erythrozonus). Like their close relative, they sport a bright red upper eye as well as a horizontal stripe of the same color starting at the operculum (gill plate) all the way down to the base of the tail fin. When immature or not adjusted fully to their environment, red line tetras usually are greenish-silver everywhere else, but once they are mature and feel comfortable, their true beauty begins to shine. These tetras will take on a spectacular, iridescent golden hue making them dazzle with color.

  To better your chances of your red line tetras showing their full potential, they will need to be provided an appropriate diet and environment. Being omnivores, they should be provided a diet with lots of variety as to ensure they do not have any deficiencies. Red line tetras usually are not picky so they will often eat anything given that is small enough to fit in their mouths such as frozen foods, live foods like baby brine shrimp, flakes, and tiny pellets.

  Replicating the natural environment of red line tetras is fairly simple and will help them feel comfortable enough within the home aquarium to show their best colors and sometimes even spawn. This can be done by providing them with a mild current, soft and acidic conditions, and plenty of botanicals and aquatic plants. Keeping lighting subdued and water pristine through appropriate filtration as well as frequent water changes will also keep your red line tetras in the best condition. Being a shoaling species, they must be kept in groups of at least 6-8. The larger the school, the more likely you will see their natural, active behavior. Avoid keeping red line tetras with overly aggressive fish or those big enough to swallow them and these rare tetras can make an excellent community fish.

  If looking to breed the red line tetra, all the above-mentioned conditions should be met along with making sure you have males and females in a group. Mature males tend to be more vibrant and slimmer-bodied than females. Mature females that are ready to spawn will appear much more rounded and more muted in color. Spawning red line tetras is similar to most other small, egg-scattering species with it being recommended to have a way for the eggs to fall into a safe place the adults can’t reach as they will consume their own eggs and fry. This can be done by using a breeding box with a mesh at the bottom for the eggs to fall through, or having a thick carpet of plants such as a moss carpet at the bottom of the tank. Many have noticed that red line tetras are much more likely to spawn when kept with fine-leaved plants such as Cabomba caroliniana and aquatic mosses making them a good addition to a breeding setup. Fry are extremely small upon hatching so be sure to have some infusoria or fry powder on hand to feed them until they are large enough for larger foods such as baby brine shrimp.

  Whether looking to breed this rare and beloved species or just wanting to appreciate their beauty, the red line tetra is a fantastic fish to keep. They can be great as a member of a soft water community tank, a breeding project, or simply a species only tank. However you keep them, they sure to dazzle and impress anyone viewing them.