{"product_id":"head-and-tail-tetra-hemigrammus-ocellifer","title":"Head And Tail Tetra | Hemigrammus ocellifer","description":"\u003ch2\u003eDescription\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe Head-and-Tail Light Tetra carries a glowing golden spot at each end of a silvery body — a \"headlight and taillight\" that flickers as it moves. Hardy, peaceful and long popular, it is one of the best characins for a newcomer, reaching around 4–5 cm and looking its best in a lively shoal.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eNatural Habitat\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eHemigrammus ocellifer is widespread across the Amazon basin and the Guianas in South America, living in slow, often tannin-stained tributaries, creeks and flooded forest margins over leaf litter and submerged wood.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eAppearance\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eA translucent silver body marked by a glowing coppery-gold spot at the base of the tail and a smaller bright spot behind the gill, giving the \"head-and-tail light\" effect. There is a subtle iridescence along the flanks, and the fins carry a faint red-gold wash. Mature males are slimmer than the fuller-bodied females.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eTemperament and Compatibility\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003ePeaceful, hardy and sociable. Keep a group of at least six, preferably ten or more, for confident behaviour and the best display. It is an excellent, undemanding member of a community tank.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eFeeding\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eA micro-omnivore. Feed good-quality flake and small pellets with regular frozen and live foods such as bloodworm, daphnia and brine shrimp. A varied diet keeps them bright and active.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eCare Requirements\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eAn aquarium of 60 litres or more suits a shoal. It is adaptable and forgiving but does best in soft to neutral, gently filtered water with planting, some shade and a little leaf litter. Regular water changes keep it healthy.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eBreeding\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eAn egg-scattering characin. In soft, acidic water among fine-leaved plants or a spawning mop, pairs scatter eggs that are best protected from the hungry adults. Eggs and fry are light-sensitive, so subdued lighting helps; the tiny fry need infusoria-grade first foods.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eSpecies Information\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003ctable\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eScientific Name\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eHemigrammus ocellifer\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eCommon Name\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eHead-and-Tail Light Tetra (Beaconfish)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eOrigin\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eAmazon basin and the Guianas, South America\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMaximum Size\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e4–5 cm\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eLifespan\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e3–5 years\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eTemperament\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003ePeaceful (schooling)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eDifficulty\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eBeginner\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMinimum Tank Size\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e60 litres\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eRecommended Tank Size\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e75+ litres\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eDiet\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMicro-omnivore (flake, small pellet, live\/frozen foods)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eWater Temperature\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e22–28 °C\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003epH Range\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e5.5–7.5\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eGH Range\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e2–15 dGH (soft to medium-hard)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSalinity\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eNot applicable (freshwater)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSuitable For\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eBeginner and planted community aquariums\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eReef Safe\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eNot applicable\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003ePlant Safe\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eYes\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\u003ch2\u003eSuitable Tank Mates\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eOther peaceful tetras, rasboras, danios, dwarf gouramis, Corydoras, Otocinclus and other calm community fish.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eAvoid Keeping With\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eLarge or aggressive fish, and persistent fin-nippers that will stress a small shoaler.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Nick's Aquarium Oceanarium Terrarium","offers":[{"title":"Small (1-5cm)","offer_id":55232817070371,"sku":"AA1526","price":6.95,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0972\/7236\/5347\/files\/Head_and_Tail_Light_Tetra.jpg?v=1781484074","url":"https:\/\/nicksaquariumoceanariumterrarium.com.au\/products\/head-and-tail-tetra-hemigrammus-ocellifer","provider":"Nicks Aquarium Oceanarium Terrarium","version":"1.0","type":"link"}