Redstripe hemigrammus
Hemigrammus rubrostriatus
Also known as Rubrostriatus tetra, Red line tetra, Red stripe tetra
FreshwaterFish
Care at a glance
- Temperature
- 73–82°F
- 23–28°C
- pH
- 5.0–6.8
- Adult size
- 2.4 in
- 6 cm
- Minimum tank
- 20 gal
- 75 L
- Temperament
- Peaceful
- Social behavior
- Schooling
- Swim level
- Middle
- Difficulty
- Medium
- Breeding
- Egg scatterer
- Rarity
- Common
- Family
- Characidae
- Origin
- Colombian Amazon blackwaters
Overview
The redstripe hemigrammus is a peaceful blackwater schooling tetra that suits a cardinal-tetra style tank. It is best kept by someone with a little experience.
Did you know
The redstripe hemigrammus is the glowlight tetra's idea finished at double length. Its red line looks drawn without lifting the pen.
Caring for the redstripe hemigrammus
Keep the redstripe hemigrammus in a group of ten or more, in 20 gal (75 L) or larger. Give it leaf litter, wood, dim light and gentle flow.
It needs soft, acidic water at 73 to 82°F (23 to 28°C) and a pH of 5.0 to 6.8. Dark water, dim light and good condition deepen the red line along its body. In bright, hard water it stays washed out no matter how well it is fed.
Feed fine flake, micro granules and small frozen foods. The redstripe hemigrammus is peaceful and safe with other community fish, and it swims in the middle of the tank. It scatters its eggs and does not guard them.
Good to know
Hemigrammus rubrostriatus is a tetra in the family Characidae. Hemigrammus is separated from Hyphessobrycon mainly by scales that extend onto the base of the tail fin.
In the wild
The redstripe hemigrammus lives in the blackwaters of the Colombian Amazon. The water there is soft, acidic and tannin-stained, with submerged litter.
Weekly picks
Tank mates
The redstripe hemigrammus is a peaceful, schooling species that keeps to the middle. These picks share a community profile with it, are safe together in both directions, and overlap on water type, temperature and pH.
Forktail spiny loach
Lepidocephalichthys furcatus
Freshwater2.4 in (6 cm) · 20 gal (75 L)73–82°F (23–28°C)
Blue panchax
Aplocheilus panchax
Freshwater3.5 in (9 cm) · 20 gal (75 L)72–82°F (22–28°C)
Marble wood shrimp
Atya scabra
Freshwater3.9 in (10 cm) · 20 gal (75 L)73–82°F (23–28°C)
Pygmy rainbowfish
Melanotaenia pygmaea
Freshwater2.4 in (6 cm) · 20 gal (75 L)73–84°F (23–29°C)
Eel kuhli loach
Pangio anguillaris
Freshwater4.7 in (12 cm) · 20 gal (75 L)72–82°F (22–28°C)
Six-barred panchax
Epiplatys sexfasciatus
Freshwater3.9 in (10 cm) · 20 gal (75 L)72–81°F (22–27°C)
Common questions
What size tank does a redstripe hemigrammus need?
A redstripe hemigrammus needs at least 20 gal (75 L). It spends most of its time in the middle.
What temperature and pH does a redstripe hemigrammus need?
A redstripe hemigrammus is comfortable at 73–82°F (23–28°C) with a pH of 5.0–6.8.
What does a redstripe hemigrammus eat?
A redstripe hemigrammus eats fine flake, micro granules and small frozen foods.
How big does a redstripe hemigrammus get?
An adult redstripe hemigrammus reaches about 2.4 in (6 cm).
Does a redstripe hemigrammus need a group?
Yes. A redstripe hemigrammus is a schooling species and should be kept in a group, not singly.
How does a redstripe hemigrammus breed?
The redstripe hemigrammus scatters its eggs and does not guard them.
Related species
2.2 in (5.5 cm)20 gal (75 L)75–82°F (24–28°C)Golden tetra
Hemigrammus rodwayi
2.2 in (5.5 cm) · 20 gal (75 L)
2 in (5 cm)20 gal (75 L)73–82°F (23–28°C)Collett's tetra
Hemigrammus collettii
2 in (5 cm) · 20 gal (75 L)
2 in (5 cm)20 gal (75 L)73–82°F (23–28°C)Red flush tetra
Hemigrammus stictus
2 in (5 cm) · 20 gal (75 L)
2 in (5 cm)20 gal (75 L)75–81°F (24–27°C)Rummy-nose tetra
Hemigrammus rhodostomus
2 in (5 cm) · 20 gal (75 L)
1.8 in (4.5 cm)20 gal (75 L)73–82°F (23–28°C)Garnet tetra
Hemigrammus pulcher
1.8 in (4.5 cm) · 20 gal (75 L)
1.8 in (4.5 cm)17 gal (65 L)75–82°F (24–28°C)Head-and-taillight tetra
Hemigrammus ocellifer
1.8 in (4.5 cm) · 17 gal (65 L)