Red headed tetra - Petitella (Hemigrammus) bleheri - DNZ

Bleher's red-headed tetra (Hemigrammus bleheri) has a strikingly red colored top of the head, which gave it its name. The upper half of the iris of the eye is also colored red in this tetra. In addition, these beautiful aquarium fish have an attractive transverse black and white striped caudal fin. The rest of the body of this beautiful tetra is silvery to greenish. The red-headed tetra grows to a length of 3.5 to 5 inches. Females appear slightly plumper thicker than the relatively slender males.

The lively and swimming Blehers Redhead Tetra (Hemigrammus bleheri) from South America is a beautiful schooling fish that needs a larger group (10 animals and more) to feel really comfortable. In the aquarium, these great fish actually gather into a school. Socialization with other fish is not a problem, the Red-headed Tetra fits wonderfully in a community aquarium. Shrimp offspring may be eaten, therefore these aquarium fish should be socialized either with very well reproducing species of the genus Neocaridina or for example with Sulawesi inland shrimp, or with the much larger and more assertive Amano shrimp. Socialization with peaceful dwarf crayfish also works well with this rather strongly surface oriented tetra.

Hemigrammus bleheri is best kept in soft to medium hard water with a low pH of about 6.0 to 7 and a temperature of about 25-28 °C. A rather low nitrate value in the aquarium is important, since the Redhead Tetra can react quite sensitively to it. The very swim-joyful tetras need an aquarium of at least 80 cm edge length. It should be well planted at the edges, but also provide enough space for swimming.

Also for breeding soft, very clean water and a low pH value are important. In the tank with the fry water should be changed regularly, so that the load is kept within limits. Breeding works best in a separate, well-planted aquarium. Moss cushions are an ideal spawning substrate for the free spawners. The parent fish are then taken out of the aquarium again, because otherwise they will eat the spawn. Young redhead tetras are fed artemia euplii and other fine live foods such as cyclops after free swimming.

Bleher's redhead tetra is uncomplicated to feed as an omnivore. Besides a good flake food Hemigrammus bleheri also likes live food, freeze-dried food as well as frozen food.

Our food recommendation: This NatureHolic Main Feed is a professional staple feed for all aquarium fish. Main feed we supply in the form of soft granules, which thanks to its grain size of half a millimeter can be easily absorbed by small to medium-sized fish. The soft consistency resembles the texture of insect larvae in nature and protects the fish mouth from micro-injuries.

Our plant recommendation: For planting, use NatureHolic InVitros. These are free of snails, planarians and other unwanted co-inhabitants. Also free of algae spores, bacteria and fungi.

Expert Tip: We recommend for fish keeping the NatureHolic 3 Phase Liquid. The care set offers the best all-round protection for your animals. It ensures optimal conditions for successful breeding and keeping.