Glass Bloodfish

About

The Glass Bloodfish (Prionobrama filigera) is a slender, largely transparent characin from the Amazon River basin whose most distinctive feature is the vivid red coloration concentrated in the tail fin. The rest of the fins remain clear, which sets it apart from the more familiar bloodfin tetra, Aphyocharax anisitsi, which carries red throughout several fins. The elongated body shape is another easy identification point. In a well-established tank with good lighting, this fish develops into quite an attractive display fish, though its understated look means it tends to get passed over at the fish store in favor of flashier species. That's a shame, because it's a genuinely rewarding fish to keep. It's peaceful with a wide range of South American tankmates. Other small characins, Corydoras, Apistogramma, smaller loricariids, and even angelfish in a larger setup all work well. Keep it in groups of at least six to eight, partly because it looks far better as a school, and partly because males can bicker when kept in small numbers. Avoid fast, competitive tankmates that might edge it out at feeding time. Breeding is achievable without too much difficulty, making it an interesting project for intermediate keepers looking to try their hand at spawning characins.