freshwater
GloFish Tetra
Gymnocorymbus ternetzi
Deep, compressed body shape with high dorsal fins and a distinct adipose fin. These are genetically modified variants of the Black Skirt Tetra, bred to display brilliant fluorescent neon colors such as electric orange, pink, green, and blue.…
- Habitat
- Captive freshwater aquarium environments, originating fr…
- Size & weight
- Typically reaches a length of 2 to 2.5 inches (5 to 6 cm…
- Diet
- Omnivorous. In captivity, they readily accept high-quali…
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Physical characteristics
Deep, compressed body shape with high dorsal fins and a distinct adipose fin. These are genetically modified variants of the Black Skirt Tetra, bred to display brilliant fluorescent neon colors such as electric orange, pink, green, and blue. They typically have dark vertical bars in their wild form, but these are often masked or altered in the brightly colored GloFish variants.
Habitat & distribution
Captive freshwater aquarium environments, originating from the wild habitat of slow-moving streams, tributaries, and rivers in South America, specifically the Amazon and Paraguay River basins.
Behavior
Active, peaceful, and schooling fish. They are social and feel most secure when kept in groups of six or more. They are diurnal, being active primarily during daylight hours.
Diet
Omnivorous. In captivity, they readily accept high-quality flake food, micro pellets, freeze-dried bloodworms, and brine shrimp.
Reproduction
Egg scatterers. In suitable aquarium conditions, females release eggs among fine-leaved plants where males fertilize them. Parents exhibit no parental care and may eat the eggs if not separated.
Ecological role
In captive environments, they act as mid-water community fish. In the wild, tetras help control small insect populations and serve as prey for larger predators.
Similar species
Black Skirt Tetra, White Skirt Tetra, and other tetra species. They are distinguished primarily by their unnatural, vivid fluorescent coloration resulting from fluorescent protein genes.
Identification tips
Look for the distinct high-backed tetra body shape, elongated dorsal and anal fins, and unmistakable neon fluorescent coloring under blue or UV aquarium lighting.
Interesting facts
GloFish are the first publicly available genetically modified animals, originally created by scientists using fluorescent proteins from marine organisms to help detect environmental pollutants before becoming popular in the aquarium trade.