Fun Flame Tetra Facts For Kids

Have you thought about those tiny fishes moving inside the aquarium tank? Flame tetras are so cute and adorable, aren't they? A lot of varieties can be seen among these freshwater aquarium fishes. One among them is the flame tetra fish which is known for its flame red color. Flame tetra (Hyphessobrycon flammeus) is known as an ideal resident for an aquarium. This fish species is also known as orange flame tetra, for its bright orange color. These fish are naturally adaptable and easy to maintain. Tetra flames are common pet fish mostly found in aquariums.

Here are some interesting and fun facts on these small-sized freshwater fish species, Von Rio tetra. Afterward, do check our other articles on peacock cichlid facts and Midas blenny facts as well.
 

What type of animal is a flame tetra?

Von Rio tetra, flame tetra, or red tetra is a freshwater aquarium fish which are small in size. These fishes are mostly seen in South America, coastal parts of Rio de Janeiro like Guanabara bay, and Southeast Brazil. Flame tetras are small beauties that are definitely an addition to community tanks. It is a good and peace-loving fish who loves to live with its group. They are flame red or kind of orange and silver in color.

What class of animal does a flame tetra belong to?

Flame tetra or red tetra or Von Rio tetra is a small freshwater aquarium fish that belongs to the Characidae family. Flame tetras are small-sized beauties popular in the pet trade.  They are good and peace-loving fish which makes them ideal for community tanks.

How many flame tetras are there in the world?

There are no accurate or rough estimates of the total number of flame tetra fishes in the world. However, the number of flame tetra is getting declined year by year.  It is common in household aquariums, but not much found in the wild. The wild population has declined due to pollution and loss of habitat. The flame tetra had been on the Threatened species since 2004 on Brazil’s List.

Where does a flame tetra live?

Flame tetra fish is a small freshwater aquarium fish that is usually seen in coastal parts of rivers. These fishes are found in South America, Southeast Brazil, and around Rio de Janeiro.  Flame tetras commonly live in community tanks where the tank size should be a minimum of 15 gallons (56.7 l). These are peace-loving fish and love to live in groups. They are hardy and undemanding.

What is a flame tetra's habitat?

Flame tetra fish is a small freshwater fish. It lives in rivers, backwaters, and shallow streams. The water can be clear or even brownish. But flame tetras are mostly found in household aquariums where they make an ideal resident. They are naturally adapting and live happily with their group in community aquariums. The aquarium should be at a proper temperature and the pH levels should be appropriate.

Who do flame tetras live with?

The flame tetra is one of the most famous aquarium fishes available in the pet trade. They are usually peaceful and happy-making, hence, ideal residents for community aquariums. This fish species prefers to live in groups with a number of six or more due to its peaceful nature.

How long does a flame tetra live?

On an average scale, flame tetra usually lives from three to five years in their natural habitat which may vary accordingly. Their lifespan is almost the same in freshwater habitats as well as community tanks.

How do they reproduce?

Flame tetra can breed in a small tank and does not need fresh water particularly. The flame tetra is egg scattering-free prawners with no parental care and is easy to breed. They reach sexual maturity very fast in around six months. Flame tetra lock fins during spawning. Tetras perform a type of roll-over process in the vegetation while clasped.  Females lay a dozen eggs and males fertilize them. The water of a tetra should be soft and acidic with a temperature of 72-78 °F (22-26 °C).

What is their conservation status?

Flame tetra fish fall under Endangered species. The species have declined drastically due to the loss of habitat and pollution. The wild population in Brazil is threatened, whereas, the captive one is available in the pet trade. Even though their number is high in the pet trade, the wild one keeps declining.

What do flame tetras look like?

The flame tetra, or Vio Rio tetra or red tetra, is one of the beauties among freshwater aquarium fish of the characin family. Flame tetra fish are deep-bodied fish with a tetra shape. The rear half of its body is flame or fiery red in color while the portion in front of the dorsal fin is silver that is crossed by two vertical bars. The fins of the female have less red coloration but darker tips of pectoral fins but in the case of males, the tip of the anal fin is black. The eyes have a blue ring. The fin of the female is lighter and sometimes yellow.

How cute are they?

Flame tetra fish is one of the most beautiful freshwater fishes and highly in demand in the aquarium trade. They are good, peaceful and suitable for community tanks. Flame tetra fish are tiny and adorable with their flame red color. They are very cute to see.

How do they communicate?

Even though fish are in the water, they also communicate like other animals. A flame tetra fish communicates through certain motions, gestures, and sometimes sound.

How big is a flame tetra?

Von Rio tetra adults can grow as big as 1 in (2.5 cm), while other tetras such as the neon tetra and the congo tetra can grow as long as 1.5 in (4 cm) and 3 in (8.5 cm) respectively. It is a small-sized freshwater fish.  The flame tetra is ten times bigger than a mosquito.

How fast can a flame tetra swim?

On an average scale, flame tetra fish swims at a normal speed. Since these breeding species do not have to hunt for prey, their swimming speed is at a normal level. They also prefer to swim in groups. They prefer shallow streams and do not prefer deep surfaces.

How much does a flame tetra weigh?

Flame tetra fish are tiny-sized fish. The length of the tetra fish is about 1 in (2.5 cm). The approximate weight of this fish is 0.004 oz (0.11 g).

What are the male and female names of the species?

As flame tetra is a fish, its species is H. flammeus.  The breeding adults are known as male tetra fish and female tetra fish.

What would you call a baby flame tetra?

A baby flame tetra fish doesn’t have any particular name. It is called a baby fish or juvenile flame tetra fish.

What do they eat?

Flame tetra fish are omnivores that eat both plants and meaty food. Their diet consists of filamentous algae, brine shrimp, and bloodworms. They eat all kinds of fresh, flake and live food. These breeding species do not have a particular predator.

Are they dangerous?

Flame tetra fishes are extremely good and peace-loving fishes. They are not dangerous. They are the happiest among the aquarium fishes. They do not cause any harm. They are hardy and undemanding. These breeding species are very active and do not pose any threats when kept in groups.

Would they make a good pet?

Flame tetra fishes make an excellent pet. These light brown fishes are known for aquarium keeping. Tetras are very peace-loving and happy fish.  It is called an ideal resident in a community tank. Tetras do not cause any harm to other fishes and are extremely peaceful even as a group. These breeding species are hardy and undemanding. Tetras are known for their schooling behavior. Brine shrimp or bloodworms must only be fed as an occasional treat.

Did you know...

Flame tetra fishes are perfect fish for beginning aquarists. They are known for their schooling behavior and peace-loving nature. They have a surprising ability to tolerate even very poor water quality.  They can live from clearwater to brownish water. These breeding species are hardy and undemanding.

Are flame tetras fin nippers?

Yes, flame tetras are fin nippers. Aggressive nippers pursue fish with elaborate fin and trailing tails. Some fishes are natural nippers but when tetras are put in groups, they do not harm each other. Flame tetra can also be aggressive and very active. But when kept in groups they pose no threat and make an ideal resident.

Having your own flame tetra

Flame tetra fishes are ideal residents for a community aquarium.  One of the first steps to make them feel at home is to have an adequate tank size. It requires a minimum of 15 gallons (56.7 l) of clean water and a suitable water temperature. The pH of the water should be 5.5 -7.5 and water temperature should range from 72-78 °F (22-26 °C). The lighting of the tank should be kept low. Replace 25-50% of the water every other week. These fish are happy and healthy when kept together in groups. Tetras eat all kinds of living and fresh food. They are of low maintenance and easy to be taken care of.

However, these fish are susceptible to neon tetra disease which is a parasitic infection. The symptoms that will help you identify if your tetra fish is infected is the presence of white bumps or cysts. So, do keep an eye out for these spots that resemble a grain of salt.

Here at Kidadl, we have carefully created lots of interesting family-friendly animal facts for everyone to discover! Learn more about some other fish from our orchid dottyback facts and blobfish facts pages.

You can even occupy yourself at home by coloring in one of our flame tetra coloring pages.