Red Diamond Flame Tetra - Hyphessobrycon flammeus

Red Diamond Flame Tetra (Hyphessobrycon flammeus)

The Red Diamond Flame Tetra, Hyphessobrycon flammeus, is a colourful captive-bred form of the classic Flame Tetra, selected for stronger red tones and a sparkling diamond-like body sheen. This peaceful South American tetra is a long-established aquarium favourite, valued for its compact size, active shoaling behaviour and suitability for planted community aquariums. It is hardy when settled, but looks and behaves best in a mature aquarium with clean water, soft cover and a proper group of its own kind.

Common Name:
Red Diamond Flame Tetra, Flame Tetra, Rio Tetra, Red Tetra, Von Rio Tetra.

Scientific Name (Latin):
Hyphessobrycon flammeus
Captive-bred Red Diamond trade form.

Maximum Size:
Usually around 3–4 cm, with FishBase listing 2.6 cm standard length.

Water Type:
Freshwater

Origin / Natural Habitat:
The Red Diamond form is captive-bred and does not occur as a natural wild population. Wild Hyphessobrycon flammeus is native to south-eastern Brazil, especially the Rio de Janeiro and São Paulo region. It naturally inhabits small shaded streams with slow-flowing dark-brown or clear water, sandy bottoms, vegetation and shallow marginal areas. Wild populations are of conservation concern, so captive-bred aquarium stock is strongly preferred.

Water Parameters:
Temperature: 22–28°C
pH Range: 6.0–7.5
Hardness or Salinity: Soft to moderately hard freshwater; stable, clean water is more important than chasing exact values.

Temperament:
Peaceful and sociable. Red Diamond Flame Tetras are excellent small community fish when kept in a group. Males may display and spar lightly, but serious aggression is uncommon when enough individuals and cover are provided.

Diet:
Omnivorous micro-feeder. In nature, Flame Tetras feed on small insects, worms and plant matter. In the aquarium, offer fine flakes, micro pellets, crushed granules, frozen daphnia, cyclops, baby brineshrimp, small bloodworm and other suitably sized foods. A varied diet helps support colour, condition and natural activity.

Minimum Tank Size:
A minimum of 60 litres is recommended for a small group, with 75–90 litres or more preferred for a larger shoal or planted community setup.

Behaviour & Activity:
An active mid-water shoaling tetra that looks best in groups of at least 6, with 8–10 or more preferred. It spends much of its time moving through open water near plants, wood and shaded areas. Mature males may show stronger red colour and display behaviour, especially when settled in a good-sized group.

Aquarium Category:
Community Fish
Suitable with peaceful small fish such as rasboras, pencilfish, other tetras, Corydoras-type catfish, Otocinclus, small gouramis, dwarf cichlids with care, snails and calm shrimp with caution. Avoid large predators, aggressive cichlids, persistent fin-nippers and very boisterous fish that may intimidate them.

Special Requirements or Care Notes:
Keep in groups rather than singly or in pairs. Provide a mature planted aquarium with gentle to moderate filtration, shaded areas, floating plants, wood and open swimming space. A darker substrate and soft lighting help show the red and diamond-like colouration well. Avoid unstable new aquariums and sudden parameter changes. Captive-bred Flame Tetras are generally adaptable, but good water quality is still essential.

Suitable for:
Beginner to intermediate fishkeepers

Availability:
Occasional in trade / Captive-bred colour form

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.