What size tank do glowlight tetras need?
At least 15 gallons (57 liters) for a group of 6. The smallest standard tank that works is the 15 gallon. A bigger tank is always easier to keep stable. We give the size for an adult fish in a proper group, because the small fish in the shop will grow. Scientific name: Hemigrammus erythrozonus.
How many glowlight tetras in each tank size?
This is how many each standard tank carries comfortably if glowlight tetras are the only fish in it. Share the tank with other species and the number goes down.
| Tank | How many glowlight tetras |
|---|---|
| 5 gallon | Too small |
| 10 gallon | Too small |
| 20 gallon long | up to 14 |
| 29 gallon | up to 20 |
| 40 gallon breeder | up to 28 |
| 55 gallon | up to 39 |
| 75 gallon | up to 53 |
| 125 gallon | 60 or more |
Check glowlight tetras against your own tank and other fish
Good to know
- Keep at least 6. Alone or in twos and threes, glowlight tetras hide, stop eating well, or pick on each other.
Tank mates for glowlight tetras
These animals like the same water, are a safe size, and have a temper that fits. It is a match on paper: always watch new tankmates for the first week.
- Honey gourami
- Threadfin rainbowfish
- Marbled hatchetfish
- Bronze corydoras
- Sterba's corydoras
- Clown pleco
- Kuhli loach
- Guppy
Poor matches
- Fancy goldfish: Goldfish do best with other fancy goldfish.
- Oscar: Oscar is aggressive and will bully or kill peaceful fish such as glowlight tetra.
- Molly: They need different water: Glowlight tetra likes a pH of 5.5–7.5, molly likes 7.5–8.5.
Questions and answers
What size tank do glowlight tetras need?
At least 15 gallons (57 liters) for a group of 6. The smallest standard tank that works is the 15 gallon. A bigger tank is always easier to keep stable.
How many glowlight tetras should be kept together?
At least 6. Glowlight tetras are social animals and only behave naturally in a group. More is better if the tank has room.
Can glowlight tetras live in a 10 gallon tank?
No. Glowlight tetra needs at least 15 gallons (57 liters).
What temperature do glowlight tetras need?
73–82 °F (23–28 °C), with a pH of 5.5–7.5. In most homes that means a heater.
Can glowlight tetras live with a betta?
Usually, yes, in a tank of 15 gallons (57 liters) or more. They like the same water: 75–82 °F (24–28 °C). Every betta has its own temper, so watch closely for the first week and have a spare tank ready.
More fish
Adult size, tank size and water ranges follow the mainstream care consensus (Seriously Fish species profiles and FishBase maximum lengths). Where sources differ we use the more cautious figure. Stocking numbers come from our stocking calculator.