Glass Bloodfin Tetra (Prionobrama filigera)

Glass Bloodfin Tetra (Prionobrama filigera) is a peaceful, active South American shoaling fish with a translucent silver body and bright red tail. The name Glass Bloodfin Tetra is widely used in the UK aquarium trade and clearly distinguishes this species from the deeper-bodied Bloodfin Tetra.

Use the live size selector for current supplied size, price and availability. Plan the aquarium for an adult fish of around 6 cm and for a proper shoal rather than for the delivery size.

Quick care

• UK common name: Glass Bloodfin Tetra
• Scientific name: Prionobrama filigera
• Adult size: around 6 cm
• Group: keep at least 8; a larger shoal is preferable where space allows
• Practical aquarium baseline: around 80 litres, with good horizontal swimming space
• Temperature: around 23–28°C
• pH: roughly 6.0–7.5
• Temperament: peaceful and social
• Diet: omnivorous; small prepared foods with frozen or live foods for variety

Aquarium setup

A longer aquarium is more useful than a tall narrow tank. Leave an open midwater swimming lane and use plants, wood or other cover around the sides and rear. A darker substrate and some shaded areas help the translucent body and red tail show clearly while giving the shoal visual security.

Use a mature biological filter with gentle-to-moderate flow and good surface movement. Ammonia and nitrite must remain at zero, and nitrate should be controlled with sensible stocking and regular partial water changes. A reliable heater is important in UK homes because room temperature can vary considerably through the year.

Group behaviour

Glass Bloodfins are much more confident in numbers. We recommend at least eight, with ten or more creating a stronger display in a suitably sized aquarium. A lone fish or token pair can become nervous and will not show the natural shoaling behaviour that makes the species attractive.

The group normally occupies the middle and upper-middle levels. Short bursts of chasing within the shoal are not unusual, but persistent exclusion, clamped fins or one fish hiding away from the group should prompt a check of stocking, water quality and tank mates.

Feeding

Offer a good-quality small flake or micro-pellet as the staple, supported by suitably sized frozen or live foods such as daphnia, cyclops and Artemia. Feed small portions once or twice daily and spread food across the surface so subordinate fish can feed.

These tetras are enthusiastic at meal times, which makes overfeeding easy. Remove uneaten food and adjust the next portion rather than assuming constant activity means the fish still need more.

Tank mates

Suitable companions include peaceful tetras, pencilfish, rasboras and calm bottom dwellers that share similar water conditions. In a larger South American-style community, they can work well above Corydoras and other non-aggressive catfish.

Avoid large predators, persistent fin-nippers and very boisterous fish that dominate food. Tiny shrimp and shrimplets should not be assumed safe with an omnivorous tetra.

Sexing and breeding

Mature females are usually fuller-bodied while males tend to remain slimmer, but young retail fish can be difficult to sex reliably. Glass Bloodfins are egg scatterers and provide no parental care. Breeding is best attempted in a separate, dimly lit aquarium with soft water, fine-leaved plants or spawning mops, followed by removal of the adults after spawning.

Before ordering

Choose Glass Bloodfin Tetras if you have a mature tropical aquarium with enough length for an active shoal. Reconsider if the tank only has room for one or two fish, is newly cycled or already contains aggressive species.

The live product selector remains the authority for current supplied size, stock and price so those commercial details do not become stale inside the care description.