Redstripe hemigrammus
Hemigrammus rubrostriatus
Also known as Rubrostriatus tetra, Red line tetra, Red stripe tetra
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
- No record
- Rarity
- Common
- Origin
- Colombian Amazon blackwaters
- Family
- Characidae
Overview
A blackwater schooling tetra that suits a cardinal-tetra style tank. Keep ten or more in a 75 liter tank with soft acidic water, leaf litter, wood and dim light, which is what deepens the red line along the body. It is peaceful and takes fine flake, micro granules and small frozen foods. In bright, hard water it stays washed out no matter how well it is fed.
In the wild
Hemigrammus rubrostriatus lives in the blackwaters of the Colombian Amazon, in soft, acidic, tannin-stained water among submerged litter. Keep it at 23 to 28 degrees Celsius and pH 5.0 to 6.8, with gentle flow and low light.
Good to know
Hemigrammus rubrostriatus reaches about 6 centimeters and carries a red stripe along the flank that intensifies with water darkness and condition. It is an egg-scattering, non-guarding spawner. Hemigrammus is separated from Hyphessobrycon mainly by having scales extending onto the base of the tail fin.
Did you know
It is the glowlight tetra's idea finished at double length, a red line drawn without lifting the pen.
Tank mates
Redstripe hemigrammus is a peaceful, schooling species that keeps to the middle. These picks match on water type, temperature, pH, size and temperament.
Indian glassy fish
Parambassis rangaFreshwater3.1 in (8 cm)20 gal (75 L)68–86°F (20–30°C)
Kuhli loach
Pangio kuhliiFreshwater3.9 in (10 cm)20 gal (75 L)72–82°F (22–28°C)
Dwarf flag cichlid
Laetacara curvicepsFreshwater2.2 in (5.5 cm)20 gal (75 L)68–82°F (20–28°C)
Giant kuhli loach
Pangio myersiFreshwater3.9 in (10 cm)20 gal (75 L)72–82°F (22–28°C)
Cochu's blue tetra
Boehlkea fredcochuiFreshwater2.2 in (5.5 cm)20 gal (75 L)72–82°F (22–28°C)
Marble wood shrimp
Atya scabraFreshwater3.9 in (10 cm)20 gal (75 L)73–82°F (23–28°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 do Redstripe hemigrammus need?
Redstripe hemigrammus are comfortable at 73–82°F (23–28°C) with a pH of 5.0–6.8.
How big do Redstripe hemigrammus get?
An adult Redstripe hemigrammus reaches about 2.4 in (6 cm).
Do Redstripe hemigrammus need a group?
Yes. Redstripe hemigrammus are a schooling species and should be kept in a group, not singly.
Where to buy
Some links may not be the exact species or variety.
- Imperial Tropicals Freshwater fish and inverts bred at a Florida hatchery
- The Wet Spot Tropical Fish Large selection of quarantined tropical freshwater fish, with live arrival guarantee and Next Day Air flat rate shipping to all US locations
…or ask your local fish store.
Appears in
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Related species
Golden Tetra
Hemigrammus rodwayiFreshwater2.2 in (5.5 cm)20 gal (75 L)75–82°F (24–28°C)
Red flush tetra
Hemigrammus stictusFreshwater2 in (5 cm)20 gal (75 L)73–82°F (23–28°C)
Rummy-nose tetra
Hemigrammus rhodostomusFreshwater2 in (5 cm)20 gal (75 L)75–81°F (24–27°C)Collett's tetra
Hemigrammus collettiiFreshwater2 in (5 cm)20 gal (75 L)73–82°F (23–28°C)
Garnet tetra
Hemigrammus pulcherFreshwater1.8 in (4.5 cm)20 gal (75 L)73–82°F (23–28°C)
Head-and-taillight tetra
Hemigrammus ocelliferFreshwater1.8 in (4.5 cm)17 gal (65 L)75–82°F (24–28°C)