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Green Fire Tetra

By The Aquarium Calculators Editorial Team ·

Aphyocharax rathbuni

Complete Green Fire Tetra care guide covering omnivore diet requirements, peaceful temperament, minimum 15 Gallons tank setup, and compatible freshwater tankmates. Difficulty: Easy.

Green Fire Tetra

Quick Answer

Green Fire Tetra (Aphyocharax rathbuni) is a lively, hardy tetra from South America. It requires a minimum 15 Gallons aquarium with a pH of 6.0 - 7.5 and temperature range of 22-26°C. This omnivore occupies the middle zone and makes an excellent addition to community setups.

Intro

Green Fire Tetra (Aphyocharax rathbuni) is a lively, hardy tetra from South America. Its greenish-silver body contrasts with bright red fins.

Setup

A 15-gallon or larger tank with open swimming space and plants. They tolerate a range of water conditions.

Feeding

Omnivorous; accepts flakes, pellets, frozen foods, and live foods. Easy to feed.

Compatibility

Peaceful but active. Keep in schools of 6+. Good with other active fish: danios, barbs, rainbowfish. Avoid slow, long-finned fish.

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Tank Position
Middle
Water Temp
22-26°C
Adult Size
See profile
Water pH
6.0 - 7.5

Species Characteristics

Adult Size
Lifespan
Growth Rate
moderate
Tank Compatibility
Community compatible
Indoor Aquarium
Yes

Water Parameters

Water Temperature
Humidity
Water pH

Tank Lighting

Tank Lighting
Standard lighting
Light Hours
N/A
Intensity
moderate

Feeding & Diet

Diet Type
Diet: Omnivore
Feeding Schedule
N/A
Live Food Options
N/A

Continue Learning

Recommended Tools

Fish Compatibility Calculator fish compatibility

Health & Disease

Ich (White Spot Disease) common disease • all fish

Related Guides

Understanding pH in Aquariums water parameters • ph

Similar Species

African Red Eyed Tetra Care Guide: Schooling & Tank Size semanticSimilarity Apistogramma Care Guide: Temperament & Diet semanticSimilarity Banded Corydoras Care Guide: Substrate & Diet semanticSimilarity

Frequently Asked Questions

How many Green Fire Tetras should be kept together?
Maintain a minimum school of 8 to 12 individuals in a tank of at least 15 gallons (57 liters) with a footprint of 24x12 inches (60x30 cm). Green fire tetras (Aphyocharax rathbuni) display a striking green body with bright red underbelly that shows best in groups over 10. Groups under 6 cause faded colors, fin-nipping, and chronic hiding. A school of 15+ creates natural shoaling dynamics. Provide dim lighting, dark substrate, and floating plants to enhance coloration. Tank length must exceed 24 inches (60 cm) for their active midwater swimming.
What are the exact water parameters for Green Fire Tetras?
Target pH 6.0 - 7.5, General Hardness 4 - 12 dGH, Carbonate Hardness 3 - 10 dKH, Total Dissolved Solids 100 - 300 ppm, Electrical Conductivity 200 - 600 μS/cm, and temperature 72°F - 80°F (22°C - 27°C). They are hardy community fish that adapt well to standard tap water conditions. Maintain nitrates below 15 ppm with weekly 20% water changes. Use a sponge or HOB filter with moderate flow. Add driftwood and Indian almond leaves to boost green coloration. Hardness below 3 dGH causes clamped fins.
What is the dietary and medication protocol for Green Fire Tetras?
They are omnivores requiring 35% protein, 10% fat, 55% plant matter. Feed high-quality flakes, micro-pellets, frozen daphnia, baby brine shrimp, and bloodworms twice daily. Offer spirulina flakes and blanched spinach weekly. Medication alert: Tolerate copper (0.2 mg/L) but sensitive to formalin. Praziquantel is safe. Salt baths up to 5 ppt treat external parasites. Quarantine with methylene blue for 7 days. They are susceptible to ich; treat with malachite green at half-dose (0.05 mg/L).
How to breed Green Fire Tetras in captivity?
Select 10-12 mature fish and condition with live blackworms and brine shrimp for 2 weeks. Set up a 10-gallon (38 liter) breeding tank with 4 inches (10 cm) of water (pH 6.5, dGH 5, 78°F/25.5°C), a spawning mop, and dim light. Simulate dawn over 30 minutes. Spawning occurs in the morning; female lays 200-300 adhesive eggs. Remove parents after 4 hours. Eggs hatch in 24-30 hours at 75°F (24°C). Fry feed on infusoria for 3 days, then microworms, then baby brine shrimp after day 7.

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