Phoenix Tetra

About

Found in the Rio Araguaia basin of central Brazil, Hemigrammus filamentosus is a small, streamlined tetra that doesn't get nearly the attention it deserves in the hobby. The species takes its name from the elongated, thread-like extensions on the tail fin that develop in mature specimens, giving it a subtle elegance that sets it apart from the more commonly kept tetras. In the wild it inhabits the warm, soft, slightly acidic blackwater and clearwater rivers typical of the Brazilian interior, so a well-planted tank with subdued lighting and some leaf litter or driftwood will help it feel at home and show its best coloration. Like most Hemigrammus, it is a schooling fish and genuinely needs the company of its own kind. A group of eight or more will produce far more natural behavior and noticeably less skittishness than a smaller cluster. It's an omnivore that accepts good quality flake and micro pellets alongside occasional live or frozen foods. Labeled intermediate in care, it's not a difficult fish, but it does best with an aquarist who pays attention to water quality and resists the temptation to keep it in a community with boisterous or fin-nipping tankmates that might damage those distinctive tail extensions.