Head and Tail Light Tetra

Head and Tail Light Tetra  is one of the Tetras that has made the mentioned species of fish so popular among aquarists is the Head and Tail Light Tetra, which is also known as Hemigrammus Ocellifer.

This particular Tetra fish is mesmerizing to observe in an aquarium setting. It is silver in color and has red spots on its tail and head that make it appear as though it is flashing lights underwater.

It is also recommended for newbies  looking into the many Tetra species that can be kept in community or species-specific tanks.

The head and tail light tetra is best known for its coppery spots that look like taillights. It lives in South American freshwater rivers and streams.

This tetra species doesn’t need a big tank to be a peaceful schooling fish. To keep it happy, though, it needs a lot of open swimming space and dim lighting.

II. You would love the fish because…

A popular beginner fish, the head-and-taillight tetra (Hemigrammus ocellifer), is also known as the beacon tetra.

They are one of the best tetras for community tanks because of how easy they are to care for and how peaceful they are.

The length of an adult is about two inches, or 5 centimeters. Like many other tetras, this fish has an oval-shaped body that is silver with iridescence.

The body is compressed when seen from above, and males are thinner than females. Similar to the redeye tetra, the eye’s upper rim is edged in brilliant red.

On some specimens, a fine black line runs from the middle of the body to the spot on the tail fin. The body and fins are somewhat translucent.

Tetras with head and tail lights are named after two reflective spots of coppery color that look like car lights.

One is near the head, next to the gill cover, and the other is at the base of the tail. Together with a black spot, there are these reflective patches.

This spotting pattern’s inheritance is particularly intriguing because it most likely functions as a deceptive “eyespot,” imitating the fish’s eye’s reflective red retina.

A possible subspecies of this fish has been identified as Hemigrammus ocellifer falsus. It has the “taillight” spot, which is more slender, but it does not have the spot behind the gill cover.

III. Is this fish species peaceful or hostile?

• Recommended: 6 and more
• Recommended Male/Female – 1:1
• Overall hostility: Peaceful
• Hostility towards own species: Peaceful
• Hostility towards other Species: Peaceful

IV. Species compatibility

• Other rasboras
• Small tetras
• Sparkling and chocolate gouramis
• Celestial danios
• Pentazona barbs
• Guppies
• Platies

V. How to feed this species?

Thrives on a carnivorous diet of Tubifex or bloodworms cut into bite-sized pieces, and it readily accepts the majority of high-quality dried fish food, such as pellets and flakes. will also like freeze-dried Artemia and microworms.

Recommended food

• Hikari Fish Food Micro Pellet
• TetraMin Tropical Granules – Premium Choice

Word for the wise

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Live, frozen food

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