▷ Red Chameleon Tetra | All information and details

Data sheet Red Chameleon Tetra

Latin name:
Hemigrammus coeruleus

Trade name:
Red chameleon tetra

order name:
Characiformes

Family:

True tetras (Characidae)

Genus:

Tropical freshwater fish

Origin:
South America; mostly in the Solimões and the Negro River

Size (in cm:

2cm to 6cm

aquarium size

Length, width, depth (aquarium cm):
80cm x 40cm x 35cm

Content in litres:

at least 112 liters

water values

Temperature:
between 25°C and 29°C

pH:

between 6 and 7

GH:

0 – 7

CH:

2 – 4

behavior/stocking

Area:
Different; floating freely between plants and retreats

Lining:
Omnivores, both dry and frozen food eat the fish

Behave:
Peaceful, combinable with other fish

Number:
medium-sized schools of 7 fish or more

Life expectancy:

about 8 years

socialization:

Yes

Difficulty level:
suitable for beginners

Red chameleon tetras are also available directly online in a variety of forms. Here we recommend Garnelio with a good selection.*

The red chameleon tetra is an ornamental fish that is not yet well known among aquarium enthusiasts. This is due to the fact that the tetra species only occurs in a few areas in South America.

The fish gets its name from its reddish body colour, which changes with different incidences of light colorful shimmers.

gender differences

In the case of red chameleon tetras, the males have a rather narrow stature, while females are significantly smaller bulbous are shaped. In addition, the reddish coloring is more pronounced in the females.

Only when the males become sexually mature does their coloring change and become significantly darker and more intense. In this way, the male chameleon tetras want to attract the attention of the females.

breed

Breeding of the red chameleon tetra is possible, but has proven to be successful a bit difficultbecause so far there is too little data on the spawning behavior of the fish.

It is advisable to relocate sexually mature tetras to an extra tank if you want to use them for breeding. Since the tetras are free spawners, luck also plays a role in whether the eggs are fertilized or not.

Resettlement together with other tetra species is possible if they are also peaceful in their behavior.

For rearing, the young animals should initially be kept in an extra tank so that they can grow a little.

Otherwise, especially in aquariums with different types of fish or shrimp, there is a risk that the small juvenile fish will be viewed as potential food by larger fish.

socialization

Red chameleon tetras get along well with others peaceful fish species such as socialize with Baeblingen or with catfish. The ornamental fish are also suitable for an aquarium with different tetra species from South America.

Since these fish have similar requirements in terms of water quality and food, they can usually be socialized very well with one another without aggressive changes in behavior occurring.

What is there to know about soil conditions?

The red chameleon tetras prefer loose, sandy ground in which they can sometimes dig a bit. However, the soil condition does not play a major role, because the animals rarely stay near the aquarium floor.

What should the planting look like?

The very active Ornamental fish prefer a lot of free swimming space, so they do not want to have too dense planting in an aquarium.

However, one should not completely do without plants, stone caves or the like, since the red chameleon tetras occasionally seek retreats. Loose planting that doesn’t block the fish’s way too much is best.

What should be considered when feeding?

In principle, feeding the red chameleon tetra is quite simple. They eat both dry and frozen food and can also be fed live food. It is a good idea to offer the fish a little variety of food from time to time so that they do not get bored.

If granules are to be fed, soft feed granules are ideal so that the tetras do not injure themselves in the smallest of mouths while eating.