Head and Tail Light Tetra

Common names include beacon fish, beacon tetra, head-and-tail light tetra. It is found in the rivers of Guyana, Suriname, French Guiana, and the Amazon Basin of Brazil and Peru. It grows to a maximum length of 5 centimetres and the sexes are distinguished by mature females being fuller bodied. Captive-raised specimens will acclimatise to a range of water conditions with pH between 6-8 and temperature 22 to 26 °C. A suitable species for planted community aquariums, beacon tetras should be kept in shoals of six or more and provided with floating plants to diffuse any bright lighting. Hiding places and open swimming areas should be available and consideration is given to the colours of this fish showing best when they are housed in tanks with a dark substrate and background.