Rainbow emperor tetra

Care at a glance

Overview

Keep a group of 6 or more, ideally with a couple more females than males, since dominant males set up small territories and spar with each other. The color is best over dark substrate in soft, gently flowing water. They are peaceful toward other fish, and the fin display is worth giving them room to show off.

In the wild

Comes from clear and slightly tannin stained forest streams in western Colombia. These are gentle, shaded waters with sandy bottoms, leaf litter, and plenty of submerged wood and roots. The fish keep to the middle water in loose groups.

Good to know

Nematobrycon lacortei is closely related to the more familiar emperor tetra, but it is set apart by its bright red eye and rainbow sheen. Males grow long central tail rays and flowing fin extensions. It reaches about 5 cm.

Did you know

Males glow with green, blue, and gold and stare out through a striking ruby red eye, which is the quickest way to tell this species from the common emperor tetra.

Related species

• 

  Emperor tetra

  Nematobrycon palmeri

  2 in (5 cm)20 gal (75 L)73–81°F (23–27°C)

• 

  Blue tetra

  Knodus borki

  2 in (5 cm)22 gal (85 L)72–79°F (22–26°C)

• 

  Glass tetra

  Moenkhausia oligolepis

  2 in (5 cm)18 gal (70 L)75–82°F (24–28°C)
• Green fire tetra

  Aphyocharax rathbuni

  2 in (5 cm)20 gal (75 L)72–79°F (22–26°C)

• 

  Bloodfin tetra

  Aphyocharax anisitsi

  2.2 in (5.5 cm)20 gal (75 L)72–82°F (22–28°C)

• 

  Black widow tetra

  Gymnocorymbus ternetzi

  2.4 in (6 cm)20 gal (75 L)68–79°F (20–26°C)