Have you been searching for a friend for your Glowlight Tetras, but do not know which type of fish to get? If yes, you have come to the right place in your search!
As you may already know, Glowlight Tetras are schooling fish, which means that they love to swim around in the tank with at least five other Glowlight Tetras. However, given the hardiness and the small size of Glowlight Tetras, it may become a task to find the best glowlight tetra tank mates.
Hence, below we have just the information you need to determine which type of fish will be the best for your dazzling Glowlight Tetras!
Quick Facts About Glowlight Tetras
In order to understand what type of fish will get along with your Glowlight Tetras, it is important to make note of what type of fish Glowlight Tetra is. Hence, here are some quick facts about Glowlight Tetras and their ideal tank conditions.
Scientific Name: Hemigrammus Erythrozonus
Common Names: Glowlights, Glowlight Tetra, Fire Neon Tetra
Group: Freshwater
Origin: Guyana
Adult Size: 1-1.5 inches
Lifespan: 4-5 years
Minimum Tank Size: at least 15 gallons (long)
Diet: Food Flakes, Pellets, Larva, Brine Shrimp
Required pH: 6 – 8
Preferred Temperature: 22 – 28 degrees Celsius
Temperament: Peaceful
Care: Easy
7 Best Tank Mates For Glowlight Tetras
Since Glowlight Tetras are schooling fish, you should always make sure that there are at least six Glowlight Tetras in your tank. However, if you want to add other types of fish to your tank then a little more research is required.
Hence, here we have seven of the best tank mates for Glowlight Tetras. However, to understand why these will get along best with your Glowlight Tetras, you will need to understand what type of fish the following are.
1. Neon Tetra
As Neon Tetras are extremely peaceful and small-sized fish, Neon Tetras will get along very well with Glowlight Tetras.
Moreover, Neon Tetras’ requirements of water parameters are very similar to those of Glowlight Tetras, and since they also have similar temperaments, there is no doubt that these two types of Tetras will be the best tank mates!
Additionally, Neon Tetras require an abundance of live plants in the tank, so that they can hide out occasionally to maintain their stress levels. Hence, if you are interested in adding live plants as a way of aquascaping, then Neon Tetras will be the best additions to the tank!
Read Full Article on Neon Tetra: A Complete Care Guide For Beginners
2. Zebra Danios
First off, Zebra Danios are fish that are perfect for new fish keepers, as they are easy to take care of, have the ability to sustain a wide range of temperatures, and look pleasing to our eyes.
Zebra Danios get up to two inches long and are active too. Although, they are schooling fish so keep in mind to get at least five of them for your tank.
Moreover, they will definitely get along with your Glowlight Tetras, as they are friendly. They also love to swim in the upper portions of the tank, hence, giving Glowlight Tetras the space they require to maintain their stress levels.
Lastly, the most important thing to remember is to add some live plants to the tank as this will help imitate Zebra Danios’ natural habitat!
3. Corydoras Catfish
With Corydoras Catfish or Cory Cat, it is easy to tell that as long as you keep them in a group of five or six, they will be happy.
On top of this, they are also able to endure a wide range of water parameters, which means that they can adapt well to slight changes in water parameters. Hence, since Glowlight Tetras require specific water parameters to survive and stay healthy, Corydoras Catfish, which are fairly small and peaceful fish, will be a great addition to your tank!
Corydoras Catfish also have a decently long lifespan of ten years. Therefore, if you are looking to invest in a schooling fish, then Corydoras Catfish is the way to go!
4. Gouramis
Gouramis will get along very well with Glowlight Tetras, as they are schooling fish that are not too active. Hence, if you place Gouramis in a tank with extremely active or aggressive fish, their stress levels will increase which may lead to them dying. However, since Glowlight Tetras are moderately passive, you will not have to face this type of issue.
Moreover, Gouramis tend to occupy a different portion of the tank, giving the school of Glowlight Tetras the space they need. Therefore, there is no need to question adding a few of the shy but eye-catching Gouramis to your tank with your Glowlight Tetras!
5. Harlequin Rasboras
Harlequin Rasboras are extremely attractive fish with silver and orange bodies and a signature black portion near the tail.
Moreover, with similar temperaments as Glowlight Tetras, they will be an easy addition to your tank and prove to be great tank mates for your Glowlight Tetras!
6. Small Barbs

Small barbs will surely prove to be compatible with your Glowlight Tetras, as they are lively and hardy schooling fish.
However, since there are a variety of barbs in the market, make sure that you get barbs that are suitable for your Glowlight Tetras. In other words, purchase only small barbs that grow up to 6 inches long.
Examples of the most compatible small barbs for your Glowlight Tetras are Gold Barbs, Zebra Barbs, and Black Ruby Barbs.
7. Kuhli Loach

Your Glowlight Tetras will definitely get along with any peaceful loach.
As for Kuhli Loaches, they will make a great addition to your tank, as they have elongated bodies that are up to four inches long and have the tendency to lay low in the tank.
Hence, not only will your Glowlight Tetras have enough space to swim around, but Kuhli Loaches will seem like a mysterious eel-like water creature swimming around in your tank!
However, since Kuhli Loaches usually come out from their hiding places at night to search for food, make sure that you add a nighttime viewing light which will not disturb them when they decide to venture out!
Fish to Avoid as Tank Mates for Glowlight Tetras
It is important to make note of the fact that Glowlight Tetras are fairly small fish.
Hence, placing Glowlight Tetras in the same tank as other larger fish will be a mistake you will want to avoid at all costs.
For instance, avoid putting an Angelfish in the same tank as Glowlight Tetras, as they will eat the latter.
Moreover, since Glowlight Tetras are moderately active, any fish that is too active or aggressive will prove to be extremely stressful for Glowlight Tetras.
Hence, as long as the Glowlight Tetras are placed in the tank with moderately active or slow fish who are not aggressive, the tank environment will prove to be a happy place for all the fish!
Tips for Taking Care of Glowlight Tetras and Their Tank Mates
Ideal Living Conditions (Aquarium Maintenance)
Your most important role as a fish keeper is to have an immaculately maintained tank. If you are considering getting different types of tank mates for your Glowlight Tetras, noting whether they are schooling fish or not is of utmost importance.
Furthermore, it should be of topmost priority to keep the temperature of the tank stable, and to monitor the pH level as the different types of fish may require caretaking under different water conditions.
Moreover, if you are adding different schooling fish to your tank, then remember that each fish requires one gallon of water. Hence, be wary of overstocking the tank as this may lead to poor water conditions and eventually lead to your fish dying.
Although you may be excited to add new fish to your tank, it is necessary to know whether any adjustments need to be made before you do so. For this, you can always consult with the seller or breeder of the fish to figure out what type of water conditions they require!
Finally, although most of the fish in the list above require an abundance of live plants as this will imitate their natural habitats, make sure not to overdo the plantation. Since most of these fish are schooling fish, they will need their space to swim around freely in their groups too.
Also Read: How To Breed Glowlight Tetras – Step By Step Guide
Feeding Schedule
With different schools of fish in the same tank, it may become difficult to ensure that everyone is getting enough food or the food that they require to remain healthy.
Hence, this may require you to distract one school of fish on one end of the tank, while you feed another school of fish on the other end of the tank.
Also Read: Glowlight Tetra’s Diet: How Often To Feed Them And Best Food?
Maintaining a Social Group
Lastly, it is of utmost importance to maintain a social group as most of the fish in the list above are schooling fish.
Hence, if they are not kept in groups then it may lead to them experiencing high levels of stress, stunted growth, infertility, or even make them prone to diseases.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Glowlight Tetras are schooling fish with peaceful temperaments. Hence, placing them in a tank with aggressive or large fish would be the biggest mistake you could make.
However, placing them with mild-mannered and peaceful fish will not only keep them healthy but will also create a tank environment that will be easy for you to take care of!
Therefore, a good rule of thumb is to give one fish one gallon of water. Hence, when purchasing new fish to place in the tank with your Glowlight Tetras, make sure that your tank will not be overcrowded in the end.
Happy hunting for your Glowlight Tetras’ new best tank mates!
Image Credit: Henry Chaves, Flickr, @ https://www.flickr.com/photos/[email protected]/
Also Read:
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