Head-and-tail-light tetra
Hemigrammus ocellifer
An easygoing tetra with golden 'headlights' by the eye and at the tail base; a classic, undemanding community fish.
Key facts
- Body length
- 1.8 in without fins
- Minimum tank
- 22 gallons
- Group
- 6+
- Temperament
- Peaceful
- Care level
- 1 / 5
- Lifespan
- Not well documented
- Diet
- Flakes, micro pellets, frozen bloodworm and daphnia
- Origin
- South America
- Hardier than67%
- Bigger than24%
- Calmer than68%
Water: their range vs yours
Head-and-tail-light tetra tank mates
- Neon tetraGets along in shared water.Good mates
- Harlequin rasboraGets along in shared water.Good mates
- Fancy guppyGets along in shared water.Good mates
- Panda corydorasGets along in shared water.Good mates
- OtocinclusGets along in shared water.Good mates
- Cherry shrimpGets along in shared water.Good mates
- BettaGets along in shared water.Good mates
- Tiger barbGets along in shared water.Good mates
- Amano shrimpGets along in shared water.Good mates
- Black neon tetraGets along in shared water.Good mates
- Black widow tetraGets along in shared water.Good mates
- Blood parrot cichlidGets along in shared water.Good mates
- AngelfishAngelfish can eat young or small Head-and-tail-light tetra; adults are big enough to be safe.Risky
- Chinese algae eaterChinese algae eater attacks fish with a similar shape or colour: Head-and-tail-light tetra.Risky
- Clown loachClown loach attacks fish with a similar shape or colour: Head-and-tail-light tetra.Risky
- DemasoniDemasoni attacks fish with a similar shape or colour: Head-and-tail-light tetra.Risky
- Golden mbunaGolden mbuna attacks fish with a similar shape or colour: Head-and-tail-light tetra.Risky
- Peacock cichlidMalawi butterfly peacock attacks fish with a similar shape or colour: Head-and-tail-light tetra.Risky
- Blue dolphin cichlidBlue dolphin cichlid can eat Head-and-tail-light tetra: prey body depth 1.0 cm ≤ mouth 6.3 cm.Avoid
- Convict cichlidConvict cichlid can eat Head-and-tail-light tetra: prey body depth 1.0 cm ≤ mouth 3.8 cm.Avoid
- Firemouth cichlidFiremouth cichlid can eat Head-and-tail-light tetra: prey body depth 1.0 cm ≤ mouth 3.0 cm.Avoid
- GoldfishGoldfish can eat Head-and-tail-light tetra: prey body depth 1.0 cm ≤ mouth 3.0 cm.Avoid
- Iridescent sharkIridescent shark can eat Head-and-tail-light tetra: prey body depth 1.0 cm ≤ mouth 32.5 cm.Avoid
- Jewel cichlidJewel cichlid can eat Head-and-tail-light tetra: prey body depth 1.0 cm ≤ mouth 3.8 cm.Avoid
How we check
The numbers the tank model uses for head-and-tail-light tetras: water as ideal and tolerated ranges, bioload from adult mass, space, flow and how they act on other species.
- Standard length
- 4.5 cm (SL)
- Adult mass
- 2.24 g
- Bioload at 25 °C
- 1.87 BU
- Min. water
- 68 L net
- Min. footprint
- 60 × 38 cm per group
- Group
- 6+ (best 10)
- Swims in
- middle
- Flow
- low
- Body / fins
- fusiform, normal fins
- Diet type
- omnivore
- Fin nipper
- none
- Sensitive to
- —
Sources: Seriously Fish: Hemigrammus ocellifer · FishBase: Hemigrammus ocellifer
Care notes
Head-and-tail-light tetras come from South America, but most sold today are bred on farms in Eastern Europe. The glowing spots above the eye and at the tail give the school a twinkling look.
Keep six or more, ideally ten, in a 20 gallon tank or larger at 75–82°F. They accept almost any food, but adult angelfish may eat them.
Questions
What size tank does a head-and-tail-light tetra need?
At least 22 gallons (68 litres of water after decor). Adults reach about 1.8 inches without fins.
How many head-and-tail-light tetras should be kept together?
Keep at least 6, ideally 10 or more: fewer feel exposed and hide or turn nippy.
What water do head-and-tail-light tetras need?
75–79 °F, pH 6–7.5 and 5–20 dGH. Head-and-tail-light tetras come from South America.
How long do head-and-tail-light tetras live?
Not well documented with good care.
What fish can live with head-and-tail-light tetras?
Good tank mates include Neon tetra, Harlequin rasbora, Fancy guppy, Panda corydoras and Otocinclus. Each is checked both ways for size, fin nipping, temperament, territory and shared water.