Head & Tail Light Tetra - Hemigrammus ocellifer

Head & Tail Light Tetra (Hemigrammus ocellifer)

The Head & Tail Light Tetra is a peaceful freshwater shoaling fish admired for its reflective “light” markings near the head and tail, silvery body and calm community behaviour. Also known as the Beacon Fish or Head-and-Taillight Tetra, this species is a classic choice for mature planted aquariums and peaceful tropical community setups. It is hardy, attractive and best kept in groups, where its natural shoaling behaviour and subtle markings are shown at their best.

Common Name:
Head & Tail Light Tetra, Head-and-Taillight Tetra, Beacon Fish, Head and Tail Light Tetra

Scientific Name (Latin):
Hemigrammus ocellifer

Alternative / Current Taxonomy Note:
Holopristis ocellifera may appear in some current references, but Hemigrammus ocellifer remains widely used in the aquarium trade.

Maximum Size:
Approximately 4–5 cm

Water Type:
Freshwater

Origin / Natural Habitat:
The Head & Tail Light Tetra originates from South America, where it is associated with slow-moving rivers, tributaries, floodplain waters and vegetated margins.

In the wild, it is often found in calm or gently flowing habitats with plant cover, submerged roots, leaf litter and shaded areas.

In the aquarium, it does best in a mature planted setup with open swimming space, soft décor, plants around the edges and stable water quality.

Water Parameters:
Temperature: 23–28°C
pH Range: 6.0–7.8
Hardness: Soft to moderately hard
Ammonia/Nitrite: 0 ppm
Nitrate: Kept low and stable
Flow: Gentle to moderate preferred

Temperament:
Peaceful

Head & Tail Light Tetras are peaceful shoaling fish and should be kept with calm community tankmates.

They are best kept in groups, where they become more confident, display more natural behaviour and show better colour.

Diet:
Omnivore / Small Community Diet

Head & Tail Light Tetras are easy to feed and accept a wide range of small aquarium foods.

Offer quality tropical flakes, micro pellets and small granules as the staple diet.

Supplement with frozen or live foods such as daphnia, cyclops, brineshrimp, bloodworm and mosquito larvae.

A varied diet helps support colour, condition and activity.

Minimum Tank Size:
Approximately 60 litres for a small group

Larger aquariums are recommended for bigger groups or mixed community setups.

A longer aquarium with open swimming space is preferred, as this species looks best when kept in a proper shoal.

Behaviour & Activity:
The Head & Tail Light Tetra is an active but not overly boisterous midwater fish.

A settled group will swim together through open areas, then move among plants or shaded cover when startled.

The reflective markings near the eye and tail become especially noticeable under aquarium lighting, giving the species its common name.

Community Suitability:
Peaceful Community Fish

The Head & Tail Light Tetra is suitable for peaceful tropical community aquariums.

Suitable tankmates include other peaceful tetras, rasboras, danios, pencilfish, small corydoras, otocinclus, bristlenose plecos, peaceful dwarf cichlids with care and small gourami with care.

Avoid large fish, aggressive species, fin-nippers, boisterous barbs, predatory fish and any tankmate large enough to swallow them.

Special Requirements or Care Notes:
Keep this species in a group of at least 6, with 8 or more preferred where space allows.

A mature aquarium with stable water quality, plant cover and open swimming space is recommended.

Avoid bright, bare aquariums, as the fish will feel more secure with plants, wood or shaded areas.

This is a good community tetra, but it should not be mixed with much larger predatory fish.

Regular water changes and low nitrate will help maintain colour, activity and long-term health.

Like many tetras, it may scatter eggs among plants, but adults provide no parental care and may eat eggs or fry in a community aquarium.

Suitable for:
Beginner to intermediate

Availability:
Common to occasional, depending on supplier and season.

All images are a visual representation of the fish you will receive, made to be as accurate as possible. Please note that Mother Nature is a wonderful thing, and variation in patterns and colours will occur — that is part of the unique beauty of these animals.