Named for their translucent bodies and red tails, the glass bloodfin tetra (Prionobrama filigera) is a relatively low-maintenance species suitable for freshwater community tanks.
These tetras may not be as brightly colored as some of their characin cousins, but their appearance is uniquely attractive. Under the right lighting, their scales take on an iridescent quality that shimmers and flashes in a silvery-blue hue.
In this guide, we’ll discuss the details of glass bloodfin tetra size and provide tips for maximizing their growth and longevity. Let’s start with an overview of the species.
Species Snapshot
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Species Name: Prionobrama filigera
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Common Names: Glass bloodfin tetra
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Size: Up to 2.4 inches
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Lifespan: 5-8 years
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Native Distribution: South America, Amazon River basin
Native to South America, they are found in the Amazon drainage basin. They’ve been recorded in numerous sections throughout Colombia, Ecuador, Bolivia, Brazil, and Peru. As Amazon natives, they’re a freshwater species and relatively hardy in various tank conditions.
The glass bloodfin tetra is one of two species belonging to the genus Prionobrama. The only other member, P. paraguayensis, is quite similar in appearance but lacks the red caudal coloration for which P. filigera was named.
Despite the similar name, glass bloodfin tetras are less closely related to Aphyocharax anisitsi, also known as the bloodfin tetra. Glass bloodfin tetras have elongated bodies, by comparison, and lack red pigmentation in the ventral and anal fins.
Glass Bloodfin Tetra Size and Appearance
As you might expect from the inclusion of “glass” in this species’ common name, their bodies are mostly translucent like glass catfish (Kryptopterus vitreolus). Though their skin has a silvery-blue sheen to it at times, you can still see the skeleton and internal structures through it. The only significant coloration glass bloodfin tetras have to boast is the prominent red pigment on their tails.
The glass bloodfin tetra size reaches up to about 2.4 inches in length. Their bodies are elongated, tapering slightly at the nose and towards the tail.
As is true for other small characins, mature females of this species exhibit a fuller body shape than mature males, particularly when they’re in spawning condition.
Both males and females have a white seam running horizontally along the length of the body, but mature males develop a dark stripe that runs adjacent to it through the anal fin.
In some cases, mature males also develop slightly longer anal and dorsal fins when they’re healthy and in good spawning condition.
Care Tips for Glass Bloodfin Tetras
Glass bloodfin tetras are considered relatively low-maintenance, and they’re able to adapt to a range of captive conditions.
Because they’re native to the Amazon basin, they’ll prefer soft, slightly acidic water and a tank setup that provides plenty of places to hide, ideally among live plants and other natural décor elements.
Tank Size and Setup
Though the glass bloodfin tetra size is relatively small, they need to be kept in groups with at least 6-8 of their own kind. The minimum recommended tank size is 15 gallons for a small group. If you plan to keep your tetras with other species, however, a larger tank is always recommended.
Decorate your glass bloodfin tetra tank with plenty of live plants and other natural décor elements like driftwood and rockwork. This species prefers dim lighting, so consider including some floating plants to help diffuse overhead lighting.
They may also appreciate the inclusion of leaf litter scattered over the substrate, which will add some tannins and create optimal breeding conditions for microfauna.
Water Parameters
Glass bloodfin tetras prefer warm, soft, and slightly acidic to neutral tank water. Aim for a stable tank temperature between 73–80°F and a pH somewhere between 6.0 and 7.5. This species can tolerate water hardness levels up to 30dGH.
As with any species, proper filtration is the key to keeping water quality high in your tank. Just keep in mind that these tetras prefer slow-moving water, so consider a sponge filter or an external filter with an adjustable flow rate.
To avoid fluctuations in tank temperature, make sure your tank is equipped with a heater and monitor the temperature regularly.
Diet and Feeding Tips
Because they have upturned mouths, glass bloodfin tetras likely feed primarily from the water’s surface in their natural habitat. They are one of the best tetras, thriving in a wide range of conditions and showing great adaptability when it comes to feeding.
Many captive specimens will accept dried and freeze-dried foods, though small live foods like bloodworms, daphnia, and brine shrimp are preferred. Feeding your tetras a varied diet will yield the strongest coloration and your best chances for successful breeding.
Glass Bloodfin Tetra Breeding Tips
The glass bloodfin tetra is considered relatively easy to breed. As is true for many egg-scattering species, however, it’s wise to separate the adults from the fry if you hope to raise a decent number of them to maturity.
You can condition your tetras in a separate tank and move them to a smaller tank for spawning, then return them to the main tank afterward.
Before introducing your glass bloodfin tetras to the spawning tank, condition the adults on small, live foods like brine shrimp and microworms. Hobbyists have had success with spawning this species both in groups and in pairs.
If you plan to breed them in pairs, however, you’ll need to condition the two sexes in separate tanks. Once the females are noticeably full of eggs and the males have developed their best coloration, you can select a pair for breeding and move them to the spawning tank.
A spawning tank for glass bloodfin tetras should be maintained at a temperature between 80°F-84°F. The water should be soft and slightly acidic, with a pH between 6.0–7.0 and a gH between 1–5.
Keep the lighting in the tank dim and provide several spawning mops or a base of Java moss to catch the eggs and provide some cover until you can remove the adults from the tank.
For the greatest chance of a successful spawn, introduce your breeding pair or group to the spawning tank in the evening. You should notice spawning behavior by the following morning.
Glass bloodfin tetra eggs hatch after 14–36 hours, depending on the temperature in the tank, and the fry will become free-swimming after 3–4 days. The fry will be too small to eat anything larger than infusoria-type food for a few days, but will then be able to accept small foods like brine shrimp nauplii after that.
The Beauty Beneath the Surface
At Shrimpy Business, we see the glass bloodfin tetra as one of those small wonders that make an aquarium feel alive.
Their subtle glow and graceful movement add warmth and balance to any setup. When you give them a space that reflects that harmony, your aquarium becomes a reflection of peace itself.
Creating that kind of environment takes care, knowledge, and the right touch, and that’s where we come in.
From fish selection to maintenance advice, we make sure every detail supports a thriving, beautiful ecosystem.
Contact us today, and let us bring your underwater world to life!