Lueling's Tetra

Hemigrammus luelingi

Family : Characidae

FishFreshwaterTetra

Small peaceful tetra with silvery reflections, ideal for freshwater community aquariums.

Lueling's Tetra — photo 1 sur 1 — Axel Zarske and Jacques Géry · Wikimedia Commons · CC BY 4.01 / 1

Popularity

Community fish

classic in freshwater aquarium

Availability

Common in shops

Shop availability

IUCN Status

Least Concern

Biotope

South America

Hors bassin amazonien : Paraná, Orénoque, Andes.

Description

Lueling's tetra reaches about 3 to 4 cm. Its body is elongated and silvery with a slight golden hue. It has a characteristic black spot on the dorsal fin. It is a gregarious fish that lives in schools. It is very active and peaceful, making it an excellent companion for other small fish. In the aquarium, it appreciates acidic and soft water. Its caudal fin is forked. It is often confused with other Hemigrammus species.

Habitat

Region :

Blackwater streams and rivers of the Peruvian Amazon

Distribution :

Recommended parameters

Temperature23–28 °C

pH6–7

GH2–10 °dGH

KH1–5 °dKH

NO₃

≤ 20 mg/L

PO₄

≤ 0.5 mg/L

Care

Difficulty

2/5

Diet

Omnivore

Min. tank

60 L

Min. group

Adult size

4 cm

Lifespan

4 years

Temperament

Peaceful

Propagation

Care notes

Maintain a temperature of 23 to 28°C and a pH of 6.0 to 7.0. General hardness (GH) should be below 10°d. A tank of at least 60 liters is recommended for a school of 6 to 8 individuals. Diet is omnivorous: accepts flakes, micro pellets, and live or frozen foods like brine shrimp. Provide gentle filtration and subdued lighting. Floating plants and leaf litter create a reassuring environment. Avoid overly active or aggressive tankmates. Breeding in captivity is possible but tricky, requiring very soft and acidic water.

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