Glass Bloodfin Tetra

The glass bloodfin tetra (Prionobrama filigera) is one of the genuinely transparent aquarium fish. The body is clear enough to see straight through, with only the silvery gut cavity and the spine showing, and the whole effect is finished by a bright red tail. It comes from the Amazon and Paraguay basins, and it is a fast, restless fish that spends its day patrolling the upper half of the tank rather than hanging in place.

Aquarium care

• Reaches roughly 5 to 6 cm.
• Peaceful but very active; it needs swimming room.
• Keep six or more.
• A long tank suits it better than a tall one.
• Omnivorous: flake, micro pellets, frozen daphnia and bloodworm.
• Occupies the upper part of the water column.
• Keep the tank covered; active surface fish jump.

Because it works the top of the tank it layers neatly over mid-water tetras and bottom-dwelling corydoras, filling a level that often sits empty. It is a poor match for very slow or timid fish, which will find the constant movement unsettling.

Stock rotates with each shipment, and livestock is sold for local pickup at our Lethbridge store. Browse the rest of our tetras.