Flame Tetra (Von Rio Tetra) Fish Species Profile

The flame tetra, or Von Rio tetra, is one of the most entrancing beauties of all freshwater aquarium fish, especially when it is sporting its full breeding colors. At one time, almost no community aquarium was complete without this fish. During the 1940s and 1950s, it was among the best sellers of all characin fish. One reason for its overwhelming popularity was its ability to survive in a wide temperature range. Before the days of affordable heating for the home aquarium, this went a long way towards making it the first choice as a first fish.

Characteristics

Origin and Distribution

Flame tetras are found in South America in the coastal rivers of eastern Brazil and around Rio de Janeiro in the Guanabara bay region, Paraiba do Sul, and the Guandu River basins as well as Sao Paulo in the upper Tiete River basin. These tetras prefer slow-flowing creeks, river tributaries, and backwaters. Flame tetras were first imported to Europe in 1920 and to the United States soon afterward. 

For some reason, this seemingly eternal community aquarium favorite waned in popularity over the last quarter of the 1900s and was almost rare at the turn of the millennium. Its popularity is again growing, and the Von Rio tetra can now be found at most tropical fish retailers.

Colors and Markings

This fish's body is elongated, slightly compressed, and is shiny silver in color. Its sides are bronze to red, and its back is brilliant red as are the majority of its fins. The anal fin has a black leading edge and tip.

Tankmates

Flame tetras are extremely peaceful in nature. They are happiest in schools of six or more. Other potential tankmates for flame tetras are most of the livebearers, danios, rasboras, other tetras, and peaceful bottom dwellers.

Flame Tetra Habitat and Care

One reason flame tetras were popular was their ability to survive in temperatures as low as 64 and as high as 85 degreed Fahrenheit, while they prefer temperatures of around 72 degrees. Also, this fish accepts very low light situations; dim lighting will actually develop this fish's best coloring. 

Flame tetras prefer some plant cover and darker gravel. For the substrate, use river sand with some driftwood and twisted roots. Add some dried leaves to the sand, which will stain the water a light brown. Replace the leaves every few weeks.

Flame Tetra Diet and Feeding

Another amazing attribute of this fish is its ability to eat almost anything. Since they are omnivorous, the flame tetra will generally eat all kinds of living, fresh, and flake foods. Feed brine shrimp (either live or frozen) or blood worms as a treat. Feed this fish several times a day and only feed what this fish can consume in three minutes or less.

Gender Differences

The two sexes of the flame tetra are much alike, both in color and shape. The male has a tiny hook on his anal fin, which can catch on a fine mesh net. If this happens, great care must be taken not to break the hook off in the net. This hook is used for mating.

The male is smaller and its anal fin is distinctly edged with black. Its body is somewhat pudgy, tapering to the tail, which expands into a considerable caudal fin. The male colors, in prime conditions, are pearly lilac on the forward belly with yellow glints in an indistinct horizontal line to the tail. On each side of the forward part of the body are two dark spots, one behind the other, that look like smudges.

The lower abdomen and the anal, dorsal, and caudal fins, rather than being exactly flame-colored, are suffused with flame coloring. The contrast between males and females is even clearer when the male turns almost totally bright flame red

Many observe a point in the anal fin of the female, but this is not definitive or consistent from fish to fish. Further, there is a broad, black border to the anal fin of the male; this border is either completely absent in the female or simply narrower and lighter in tone.

The female's belly region is thicker and rounder, which makes them deeper in the body than the slimmer males. At breeding time, the females will be very plump with eggs.

Breeding the Flame Tetra

Another prime reason for this fish's popularity is its ease in breeding. It breeds in a small tank; it has no particular need for freshwater; it spawns up to 500 eggs, and the young are quite hardy. When breeding tetras, great care must be taken to find specimens with good body shape and the ones that are most red in appearance.

While breeding live-bearers is easier overall, this fish is usually so easy to breed that it is the recommended species for the beginner who is breeding an egg-layer for the first time. The breeding tank can be a 10-gallon tank planted with thickets of small-leaved plants; if possible, use Java moss. Keep females isolated from the male, and condition both tanks on live food for a week. The temperature of the spawning tank should be brought up to around 80 degrees Fahrenheit before introducing the well-conditioned female.

Introduce the female in the afternoon, followed by the male about one hour before dark. Breeding will probably take place soon after dawn the next morning. The hook in the anal fin of the male is used to hold the female close as the female deposits eggs on a fine leafed plant. If the male fish has lost this hook, the fertility rate of the eggs might be low.

After laying anywhere between 150 and 500 eggs, the parents may want to feed on the eggs. It is important to remove the breeding pair immediately after spawning. Eggs hatch within 24 to 48 hours. Fry hang on the plants and on the glass of the tank for about two days. They are free-swimming by the third day.

The fry should be fed infusoria the first week, and then baby brine shrimp and commercial baby powdered food. They are very hardy in the third week, though they tend to stay toward the bottom of the tank, devouring almost anything. After about four months, they begin to look like their parents and are nearly half-grown. At six months, they can be introduced into a community aquarium as a new shoal of fish.

More Pet Fish Species and Further Research

If the flame tetra appeals to you and you are interested in similar fish, you might also consider:

• Danios Species Profile
• Rasboras Species Profile
• Tetra Species Profile

Check out additional fish breed profiles for more information on other freshwater fish.