Looking to add a new fish to your tank? If you are, you may want to consider getting a Von Rio Flame Tetra. The Von Rio Flame tetras are a beautiful cichlid fish and make excellent choices for freshwater aquariums.
They are social, active, and require minimal care when kept in good conditions. However, like all fish, they need regular water changes and proper filtration to avoid problems such as fungus, algae and bacterial infections.
If you are new to the hobby, or new to aquariums in general, you might be wondering how to care for the Von Rio Flame Tetra. This Von Rio Flame Tetra care guide is designed to help you keep your fish healthy and thriving. Read on and get awesome insights about the wonderful Von Rio Flame Tetra.
Origin
The Von Rio Flame Tetra also known as Hyphessobrycon flammeus is a species of fish in the family Characidae. It is native to tropical South America and is found in different places including Brazil, French Guiana, Suriname, Colombia, Ecuador, Guyana, and Peru.
The bigger part of Von Rio Flame Tetra originates in the Rio Platano drainage in Honduras. This area is part of the Orinoco and Amazon River basins, which are located in South America. The Von Rio Flame Tetra has been bred for many years in this region and it is one of the most popular freshwater tetras available today.
The original members of this species were found on Lake Irapuato in Mexico and were first imported into Europe in the 1990s. They are now widely distributed throughout Europe and other parts of the world, including North America, Australia and New Zealand.
It has been bred in Europe, and has recently been introduced to North America and Australia. The Von Rio Flame Tetra is one of the most popular and best-known tetras in the aquarium industry. Other popular and similar aquarium fish from the same family are the EmberTetra (Paracheirodon axelrodi) and Cardinal Tetra (Hyphessobrycon amandae).
Appearance
The Von Rio Flame Tetra is a very attractive fish with a unique red coloration. It is rather small and measure about 1 inch. There are several variations available including red, yellow, blue and black/green/orange striped versions.
The male version has a more intense coloration than its female counterpart, which tends to be paler in coloration with less vivid patterns on their bodies
The Von Rio Flame Tetra has a body that is elongated and deep, with a slightly arched back. The fish has four short barbels at the corners of its mouth that help to detect food or any other object in front of it.
This fish species also has very large blue eyes that are set high on its head. This makes it easier for them to see above water as well as below it. The eyes are also surrounded by black patches that give them an even more defined appearance.
The Von Rio Flame Tetra’s body is covered with silver brownish-red scales which make up its upper side. The front part is silvery and has two vertical scintillating stripes.
There are also some small white spots to help break up this otherwise monotonous color scheme. The lower side of this fish is covered with yellowish-white spots and dashes, which again breaks up what could be an otherwise boring look for this fish species.
It has two dorsal fins that extend from the sides of its head down to the base of its tail fin, which is also very unique looking because it is shaped like an arrow shape with a dark line running vertically down through its middle section.
Behavioral Characteristics
The Von Rio Flame Tetra is a small yet lively aquarium fish that can be kept in groups of three or more. The males are aggressive towards each other and will fight over the females. This can be prevented by adding a few females to the male tank so that they have their own territory.
The male beats his fins on the glass and displays his colors to the other fish. The fish also has an aggressive nature when it comes to mating, but it is not as aggressive as some of the other species of tetras.
Von Rio Flame Tetras will spend most of their time exploring the aquarium but do not like to be disturbed. This fish will not bother other tank mates, but it does like to hang out with its own kind. They do best when kept with other small fish like Corydoras catfish, mollies and guppies.
The Von Rio Flame tetra is a very active fish that loves to swim. It will swim in shoals with other fish and will also swim alone. It has been known to be good at hiding under rocks and plants, so it is important to keep an eye on your tank when you are not around.
Care Level
The Von Rio Flame Tetra is one of the most popular freshwater fish in the hobby, and for good reason. They are very hardy and can be kept in smaller tanks than other tropical fish species. In fact, you can keep them with other small fish species.
While they are not particularly demanding when it comes to care, they do require a fair amount of feeding to thrive in captivity. However, this isn’t too difficult if you take the right steps.
The Flame Tetra is also one of the easiest freshwater fish to breed in captivity because they don’t require spawning conditions like some other types do.
Habitat-Tank Condition
The habitat of the Von Rio Flame Tetra is a soft, acidic freshwater aquarium. This fish is best kept in a tank that is at least 10 gallons in size and should be kept at a pH of 6 to 7, which the fish will adjust to.
The water should have a temperature of between 70-80 degrees Fahrenheit. The water should be well-oxygenated, but not too heavily so as to cause nitrate buildup.
The substrate should be fine gravel or sand and placed at the bottom of the tank, since this fish tends to burrow under rocks and other structures. It also likes to swim around in large open areas of the aquarium.
Bacteria and other microorganisms are present in all aquariums, and some can cause problems for your fish if they escape into the water column. These organisms may produce slimy growths on the surface of the tank, or they may infect your fish with disease.
The best way to eliminate these organisms from your aquarium is by using good water quality practices such as changing at least 25 percent of the water every week, using a water conditioner, adding surface scum remover (copper sulfate or copper carbonate), and maintaining high levels of dissolved oxygen in the tank.
Another way to keep your fish healthy is to maintain a high level of dissolved oxygen in their tank by adding an air pump or having live plants in the aquarium.
Diet And Feeding
The Flame Tetra is an omnivore. Its diet is simple and varied; they like to eat a wide variety of foods. It should be fed with a nutritious diet at least twice per day. The feeding regime should consist of small amounts of food at each feeding so that they do not become overfed
The Von Rio Flame Tetras are not picky eaters and will eat almost anything. They will eat all kinds of live, frozen and flaked foods. It has been known to accept flake foods that are high in protein content such as blood worms, daphnia and brine shrimp.
As with all tropical fish they require a special diet designed for their needs. The diet should include spirulina, algae, lettuce, and spinach which are high in protein and low in fat. Spirulina is an important source of vitamins A, B1, B3, B5, B6, C and E which are essential for proper growth.
Breeding
Breeding is very easy and it is done in a tank that can hold at least 6 fish. . The male and female are placed in a small aquarium with plenty of plant material and some gravel. The males will fight to show their strength and the females will choose the strongest male to breed with. If you see this behavior, it is time for spawning.
To prevent the female from being hurt by the male, she will use her lips to grab his fins and then push him away from her body. When this happens, he will let go of his grip on her so she can swim away from him. After that, he will chase her and once he catches her again, he will try to push himself into her body using his fins.
When the male has found a suitable place to spawn, he will open his pelvic fins and lie on top of them while the female lays eggs on top of his fins or in between them.
Once inside her body, he will release sperm into the water which will fertilize eggs that were laid inside her. The eggs take about 20 minutes to hatch, at which point they will swim away from their parent.
The female will lay her eggs (about 200-500) on some live plants or gravel in a group together with the male guarding her. The eggs take about 21 days to hatch into babies which are called fry.
They grow quickly because they have plenty of food available for them in the tank. They have a lifespan of about 4-5 years in a tank.
Tank Mates
The Von Rio Flame tetra is a very peaceful fish that can be kept with other peaceful fish. Generally, it is best to keep the Von Rio Flame tetra in a community aquarium with other small fish species that are similar in size and calm in nature.
Ember Tetra
Ember Tetra are small, peaceful and hardy fish that can be kept together in a small tank. Ember Tetras are not aggressive towards other fish and they are especially good at breeding in groups. However, they do best when kept with others of their own kind or with only one or two other small fish.
The Ember Tetra is a popular fish not just because of its bright coloration and lively personality. This hardy fish that can thrive in many different kinds of aquariums.
This species has a long history as one of the most popular aquarium fish ever since it was first discovered in the wild over 100 years ago. It has been bred in captivity and released into many different types of aquariums, which have helped to create many different subspecies.
The Ember Tetra is known for its vibrant colors, which have been known to change color depending on what they are eating. They are also known for their high metabolism and ability to eat almost anything they come across in their tank. They will eat most foods and even the occasional flake or pellet.
Diamond Tetra
The Diamond Tetra is a fascinating fish that inhabits a wide range of water types. This species is often found in schools, and will swim in tight circles around other fishes. The Diamond Tetra gets its name from the diamond shape on its dorsal fin.
The Diamond Tetra is a wonderful fish for beginners and experienced aquarists alike. They are hardy and will grow up to 3 inches in length. This fish has a very distinctive body shape that is covered with large scales.
The Diamond Tetra has a very peaceful nature that makes it an ideal tank mate for most other fish species in the tank. This fish can be kept in community tanks with other small to medium sized peaceful fishes such as Flame Tetra
Guppies
Guppies are peaceful freshwater fish that can be kept in freshwater tanks or ponds. They prefer warm temperatures between 75 and 90 degrees Fahrenheit (24 – 32 degrees Celsius). Guppies are easy to care for if you follow a few simple rules. Still, they do require some basic maintenance to keep them healthy.
Guppies need plenty of room to swim around in their tank or pond. A 10-gallon tank is usually sufficient for two or three adults, but you may need more space if you want to keep breeding pairs of guppies together.
Guppies prefer live plants over gravel or sand substrate because they eat algae off plants rather than eating rocks; however, many people prefer gravel because it helps reduce splashing when your pet splashes around in your fish tank or pond.
Danios
Danios are peaceful, timid fish that can be kept with other small, peaceful fish. They prefer to live in groups, so a school of danios is a great choice for your Von Rio Flame Tetra tank.
Danios are one of the most common types of fish that can be kept as pets. They are small, colorful and easy to care for.
The best way to care for danios is by keeping them in schools or colonies so they can be watched over easier. This will reduce stress levels and help keep your tank clean.
Danios require very little space when kept in an aquarium as long as there is plenty of hiding places for them to hide and escape from predators. A 10 gallon tank with some live plants should be sufficient for one or two danios depending on their size.
Rasboras
Rasboras are a good tank mate for the Von Rio Flame Tetra. They keep the spawning gravel clean and are willing to eat any leftover food particles. Rasboras are peaceful fish, so they will not bother the Rio Flame Tetra.
Rasboras are low-maintenance fish that don’t require any special treatment. In fact, they do better if you treat them with a little respect. Give them plenty of room, and don’t overfeed them.
Rasboras need plenty of room for swimming and hiding places, so a 10 gallon tank will work just fine. They prefer soft water with a pH between 6.0 and 7.0, but can adapt to harder water as well.
Amano Shrimp
Amano shrimp are a great choice for the Rio Flame Tetra tank. These shrimp are small, peaceful and do not bother your fish.
If you’re looking for a swim-up aquarium, the Amano shrimp are one of the best choices you can make. They’re not only beautiful, they’re also easy to care for and will thrive in almost any aquarium, including those with hard water and low pH levels.
Amano Shrimp are freshwater shrimp that can be kept in a variety of freshwater settings including ponds, lakes and rivers. They are very hardy creatures with an extremely high survival rate even when introduced into areas where other freshwater shrimp have failed to thrive.
Amano shrimp will eat algae and plants from the tank, which is perfect for a small tank that has plenty of room for algae to grow.
Frequently Asked Questions
How big do Von Rio tetras get?
Von Rio tetras are not particularly large, but they can grow to be up to 3inches long and 1 inch wide. They have a short, rounded body with a slightly protruding forehead and a relatively small head.
Are Von Rio tetras a schooling fish?
Like other tetras, they do best in groups of six or more individuals. Flame Rio tetras are peaceful fish that get along well with other species in their tank. They will even accept other types of fish like angelfish. However, they should be kept with only one other species of similar size because they will become territorial if there are too many big fish in their tank.
How long do Von Rio tetras live?
Von Rio tetras can live up to 8 years in captivity, but most die within the first 5 years of life due to poor water quality or because they are overfed. The first thing that you need to do when you get a new tank is change the water and do some research about your new fish’s needs.
Do flame tetras like current?
Yes, they do like current. They will swim happily around a tank with a current. The only problem is that they don’t like the current to be too strong. They need it to be just enough to keep themselves moving forward, but not so strong that they are being pulled into the back of the tank by the current and unable to reach their food or escape from predators.
Even though there is no harm in having a little bit of current in your tank for them to swim in, too much can hurt them if it’s not kept under control.
How often do you feed flame tetras?
Flame tetras are omnivorous, meaning they are able to eat both plant and animal matter. They will eat most kinds of prepared foods, including flakes, pellets, freeze dried foods and live foods such as brine shrimp. Flame tetras should be fed at least once a day.
If you have more than one species of fish in your tank, feed them separately until they are acclimated to each other. In this case you should feed them twice, so that they don’t compete for food.
Do flame tetras eat their tank mates?
Flame Tetras eat all kinds of foods, but they do not like to eat their tank mates. Flame Tetras are peaceful and will not harm their tank mates. However you should be wary of adding other aggressive fish I the tank that can interfere with the peace of these beautiful creatures.
Final Thoughts
Ultimately, are an excellent addition to any fish tank. Von Rios are extremely sensitive to water quality and are easily stressed. However, with the appropriate conditions and care, Von Rio Tetras can lead long and healthy lives in any aquarium.
They dwell well in a peaceful planted tank that is low in aggression levels. The Von Rio Flame Tetra will do most swimming and darting about in the middle areas of the aquarium, but does also like to explore the top area of the aquarium for some time before returning back to hiding spaces.
