Flame Tetra

The Flame Tetra, also known as the Von Rio Tetra, is a small, fiery-colored characin native to coastal streams near Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Its body transitions from a silvery-white front half to a vivid red-orange rear half, creating a striking two-toned 'flame' effect that intensifies toward the tail. Two short, vertical black bars sit just behind the gill cover, providing a bold contrast against the pale anterior body. Fins are edged in black, particularly the anal fin, which carries a dark outer margin that frames the fish's brightest red coloration. Males typically display more intense red pigmentation than the somewhat paler, rounder-bodied females.

• Silvery-white front half transitioning to vivid red-orange toward the tail
• Two short vertical black bars behind the gill cover
• Black-edged anal fin framing the red body coloration
• Small, deep, laterally compressed body shape
• Slightly forked caudal fin, often reddish
• Males more intensely red than paler, rounder females

The sharply divided two-toned body pattern, pale forward and red rearward, combined with the paired vertical bars near the head, distinguishes Flame Tetras from other red-bodied Hyphessobrycon species, most of which show a more uniform overall coloration rather than this graduated flame effect.

Flame Tetras are native to small coastal streams and river tributaries in the vicinity of Rio de Janeiro in southeastern Brazil, a region under significant urban development pressure. These streams are typically warm, softly acidic, and shaded by riparian vegetation, with slow to moderate flow over sandy or silt substrates. Due to extensive habitat loss and pollution around Rio de Janeiro, wild populations are considered vulnerable in parts of their native range, and most aquarium stock today comes from captive breeding rather than collection. In the wild, the species shoals among submerged vegetation and leaf litter along shaded stream margins, avoiding open, fast-flowing water.

Flame Tetras are peaceful, active schooling fish that move in loose to moderately tight groups through the middle water column. They are omnivorous, feeding on small invertebrates, insect larvae, and plant material found among stream vegetation and substrate. Social hierarchy among males can lead to brief chasing and fin displays, particularly when courting females, though serious aggression is uncommon. Reproduction follows the classic scatter-spawning characin pattern, with adhesive eggs deposited among fine-leaved plants and no parental care given afterward. Given pressures on their native Rio de Janeiro habitat, the species now persists largely through a combination of remaining wild populations and widespread captive breeding for the aquarium trade.