{"product_id":"head-and-tail-light-tetra-hemigrammus-ocellifer-freshwater","title":"Head and Tail Light Tetra (Hemigrammus ocellifer)","description":"\u003cdiv style=\"background:#E3F2FD;border-left:4px solid #1E88E5;padding:10px 14px;margin:0 0 14px;font-size:0.95em;\"\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eIn-store pickup only.\u003c\/strong\u003e Your order is reserved, we hold off on bagging until you arrive so it stays healthy in its display tank.\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThe Head and Tail Light Tetra (\u003cem\u003eHemigrammus ocellifer\u003c\/em\u003e) earns its name honestly: a bright copper spot glows just above the eye and a second one burns at the base of the tail, so a moving school looks like a string of little running lights. It is also sold as the Beacon Tetra. This is one of the easiest tetras in the hobby, peaceful, forgiving of ordinary tap water, and cheap enough to buy in a proper group, which makes it an excellent first schooling fish for a community tank.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eBrowse the rest of our \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/collections\/fresh-water\"\u003efreshwater livestock\u003c\/a\u003e and \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/collections\/fish\"\u003elive fish\u003c\/a\u003e, or pair them with our \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/ember-tetra-hyphessobrycon-amandae-freshwater\"\u003eEmber Tetras\u003c\/a\u003e and \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/brilliant-rummy-nose-tetra-hemigrammus-bleheri-freshwater\"\u003eRummy Nose Tetras\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3 style=\"margin:14px 0 4px;font-size:1.05em;font-weight:600;line-height:1.25;border-left:4px solid #1E88E5;padding-left:8px;\"\u003eCare Guide\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBuy them in a group.\u003c\/strong\u003e Six is the floor and ten or more is where they actually look right. Kept in twos and threes they hide, lose color, and can turn nippy. In a proper school they spread out into the open water and the tail spot lights up.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTank size.\u003c\/strong\u003e A 20 gallon long is the practical minimum for a school of six to eight. They swim horizontally more than they hover, so floor length matters more than height.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWater parameters.\u003c\/strong\u003e Temperature 72 to 80°F, pH 5.5 to 7.5, soft to moderately hard. They are noticeably less fussy than most South American tetras and do fine in average tap water once it is dechlorinated. Stability beats chasing numbers.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDiet.\u003c\/strong\u003e Omnivore with a small mouth. A quality micro pellet or crushed flake as the staple, plus frozen or freeze-dried daphnia and bloodworms two or three times a week for color and conditioning. Feed small amounts twice daily rather than one large meal.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAquascaping.\u003c\/strong\u003e Dark substrate, driftwood, and planted edges bring out the copper markings. Leave the middle of the tank open for swimming. A few floating plants to soften the light will visibly relax them, and the tank should have a lid since startled tetras can jump.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBehavior.\u003c\/strong\u003e Active, peaceful, and constantly on the move. They occupy the middle of the water column, which makes them a good match for surface fish and bottom dwellers alike.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3 style=\"margin:14px 0 4px;font-size:1.05em;font-weight:600;line-height:1.25;border-left:4px solid #1E88E5;padding-left:8px;\"\u003eSpecifications\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003ctable style=\"border-collapse:collapse;width:100%;max-width:560px;font-size:0.95em;\"\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eScientific Name\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cem\u003eHemigrammus ocellifer\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCommon Names\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003eHead and Tail Light Tetra, Beacon Tetra\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAdult Size\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003eAbout 2 inches\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCare Level\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003eBeginner\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTemperament\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003ePeaceful, schooling\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMinimum School\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e6, ideally 10 or more\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMinimum Tank Size\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e20 gallons long\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWater Temperature\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e72 to 80°F\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003epH Range\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e5.5 to 7.5\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDiet\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003eOmnivore\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSwimming Level\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003eMiddle\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eOrigin\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003eAmazon basin, Guyana and Peru\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eLifespan\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e3 to 5 years\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePickup\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003eIn-store pickup only\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\n\n\u003ch3 style=\"margin:14px 0 4px;font-size:1.05em;font-weight:600;line-height:1.25;border-left:4px solid #1E88E5;padding-left:8px;\"\u003eCompatibility\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis is a textbook community tetra. Anything peaceful and roughly the same size works.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eGreat matches.\u003c\/strong\u003e Other small tetras such as \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/ember-tetra-hyphessobrycon-amandae-freshwater\"\u003eEmbers\u003c\/a\u003e and \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/brilliant-rummy-nose-tetra-hemigrammus-bleheri-freshwater\"\u003eRummy Nose\u003c\/a\u003e, rasboras, livebearers, and peaceful dwarf cichlids.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eCleanup crew.\u003c\/strong\u003e \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/otocinclus-catfish-otocinclus-vittatus-freshwater-algae-eater\"\u003eOtocinclus\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/amano-shrimp-caridina-multidentata-freshwater\"\u003eAmano Shrimp\u003c\/a\u003e, and \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/collections\/freshwater-invertebrates\"\u003enerite snails\u003c\/a\u003e all coexist happily.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eAvoid.\u003c\/strong\u003e Anything with a mouth big enough to swallow a 2 inch fish: Oscars, large cichlids, angelfish at full size. Also skip fin nippers like \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/tiger-barb-puntigrus-tetrazona-freshwater\"\u003eTiger Barbs\u003c\/a\u003e unless the barbs are in a large group of their own.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003ePlants.\u003c\/strong\u003e Completely plant safe. They will not touch your \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/collections\/freshwater-aquarium-plants\"\u003elive plants\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003ch3 style=\"margin:14px 0 4px;font-size:1.05em;font-weight:600;line-height:1.25;border-left:4px solid #1E88E5;padding-left:8px;\"\u003eRecommended Foods \u0026amp; Supplies\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/hikari-micro-pellets\"\u003eHikari Micro Pellets\u003c\/a\u003e or \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/xtreme-nano-slow-sinking-pellets-nano-fish-food\"\u003eXtreme Nano Slow-Sinking Pellets\u003c\/a\u003e as the daily staple\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/tetra-tetramin-tropical-flakes\"\u003eTetra TetraMin Tropical Flakes\u003c\/a\u003e for easy everyday feeding\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/hikari-bio-pure-freeze-dried-daphnia\"\u003eFreeze-Dried Daphnia\u003c\/a\u003e and frozen bloodworms as conditioning treats\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/java-fern-on-lava-rock-microsorum-pteropus-freshwater\"\u003eJava Fern\u003c\/a\u003e or \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/java-moss-taxiphyllum-barbieri-freshwater-moss\"\u003eJava Moss\u003c\/a\u003e for cover and security\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/seachem-safe\"\u003eSeachem Safe\u003c\/a\u003e for water changes and \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/seachem-stability\"\u003eSeachem Stability\u003c\/a\u003e when cycling\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eMore in \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/collections\/nutrition\"\u003eNutrition\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/collections\/maintenance-water-care\"\u003eWater Care\u003c\/a\u003e, and \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/collections\/water-testing\"\u003eWater Testing\u003c\/a\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003ch3 style=\"margin:14px 0 4px;font-size:1.05em;font-weight:600;line-height:1.25;border-left:4px solid #1E88E5;padding-left:8px;\"\u003eFrequently Asked Questions\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHow many should I buy?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\nSix minimum, ten or more if the tank allows. This is the single biggest factor in how good they look and how confident they behave. A larger school is genuinely a different fish.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDo the spots really glow?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\nThey are reflective rather than luminous, so they catch light rather than emit it. Against a dark substrate with decent lighting the effect is striking, especially when the whole school turns at once.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAre they hardy enough for a new tank?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\nThey are among the tougher small tetras, but no fish belongs in an uncycled tank. Get the tank cycled first, then add the school in one group rather than a few at a time.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWill they breed in my tank?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\nThey are egg scatterers and will spawn readily in soft, slightly acidic water, but the adults eat the eggs immediately. You would need a separate breeding tank with a spawning mop or mesh to raise any fry.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDo you hold fish for pickup?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\nYes. Your order is reserved as soon as it is placed, and we leave the fish in its tank until you arrive so it stays in the best possible shape.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Squeaky's Aquatics","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":48989015277787,"sku":"24400421","price":4.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0767\/5209\/3403\/files\/f2b71790-c375-4828-89a1-b660dcca5569.png?v=1784455186","url":"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/head-and-tail-light-tetra-hemigrammus-ocellifer-freshwater","provider":"Squeaky's Aquatics","version":"1.0","type":"link"}