Bring mesmerizing movement and a splash of color to your aquarium with the Glass Bloodfin Tetra (Prionobrama filigera). Renowned for its distinctive, nearly translucent glass-like body contrasted by an intense blood-red caudal fin, this peaceful freshwater fish is a staple favorite among beginner and seasoned aquarists alike. As an energetic mid-to-top water schooling fish, the Glass Bloodfin Tetra creates a dynamic display in planted community aquariums.

Key Information & Care Guide

• Place of Origin: Native to South America, primarily inhabiting the clear to slow-moving tributaries and river basins of the Amazon and Madeira Rivers across Brazil, Peru, and Bolivia.

• Care Level: Easy / Beginner-friendly. This hardy freshwater fish adapts well to standard aquarium conditions, making it an excellent choice for community setups and first-time fishkeepers.

• Minimum Tank Size: 15 to 20 Gallons. Because they are active swimmers that must be kept in schools, a long tank configuration provides the open swimming lanes they need to thrive.

• Water Parameters:

  • Temperature: 72°F – 82°F (22°C – 28°C)

  • pH Range: 6.0 – 7.8

  • Hardness: 2 – 15 dGH

• Environment & Aquascaping: Glass Bloodfin Tetras display their best coloration in a well-planted aquarium with a mix of background vegetation (like Vallisneria, Java Fern, or Amazon Swords) and open swimming space in the center and upper water column. Use a dark substrate and gentle water flow to mimic their natural river basin habitat. A secure aquarium lid is recommended, as active schooling tetras can occasionally jump when startled.

• Feeding & Diet: Omnivore. They eagerly accept high-quality micro-pellets, tropical flakes, and freeze-dried foods. Supplement their diet 2–3 times a week with live or frozen foods such as daphnia, brine shrimp, and bloodworms to enhance their translucent sheen and vivid red tail coloring.

• Tank Mates & Temperament: Peaceful and social. To feel secure and display natural schooling behavior, keep them in a shoal of at least 6 to 8 individuals (larger groups are even better). Compatible tank mates include other peaceful community fish such as Neon Tetras, Harlequin Rasboras, Corydoras catfish, Otocinclus, Dwarf Gouramis, and aquarium-safe dwarf shrimp. Avoid keeping them with large, aggressive, or predatory species.

• Breeding & Reproduction: Egg scatterer. Unlike many other characins that require very soft, acidic water to spawn, the Glass Bloodfin Tetra is relatively easy to breed in captivity. Set up a separate, dimly lit breeding tank with fine-leaved plants (such as Java Moss) or a spawning mop. Parents should be removed immediately after spawning, as they do not provide parental care and will consume eggs. Fry hatch within 24 to 36 hours and can be fed infusoria followed by baby brine shrimp.

Why Choose the Glass Bloodfin Tetra?

• Hardy, resilient, and beginner-approved

• Eye-catching transparent body with a striking red tail

• Active, peaceful schooling behavior perfect for community tanks

• Plant-friendly and compatible with popular nano fish and peaceful species

PLEASE READ BEFORE ORDERING

• The photos shown on fish product pages are representations of adult fish and are NOT the actual fish that you will be receiving. 
• Please visit our “Ordering/Shipping fish” page prior to checking out to familiarize yourself with our process.
• We ship fish exclusively using overnight shipping with either FedEx or UPS. We will not ship fish with lesser expensive shipping services like “Ground” or “Priority Mail”. This is to ensure the safety of the fish.
• Unless specified, all fish are sold as unsexed.