Head and tail light tetra care guide
Also called: Beacon tetra, Beacon fish, Head-and-taillight tetra, Albino head and tail light tetra
The head and tail light tetra is a hardy, peaceful 1.8 in (4.5 cm) tetra with glowing copper-red spots above the eye and at the base of the tail. It is a top pick for community tanks. Keep six or more in a planted 20 gallon (76 L) tank.
Head and tail light tetras need a tank of at least 20 gallons (76 L), a group of 6 or more, and water at 23–27°C (73–81°F) with a pH of 6–7.5. They grow to about 4.5 cm (1.8 in) and are peaceful.
Plan a tank with head and tail light tetrasSee all tank mates
Head and tail light tetra quick facts
| Scientific name | Holopristis ocellifera |
|---|---|
| Family | Acestrorhamphidae |
| Origin | The Guianas and the Amazon basin in Brazil and Peru (most are farm-bred) |
| Adult size | 4.5 cm (1.8 in) |
| Minimum tank | 20 gallons (76 L), at least 60 cm (24 in) long |
| Temperature | 23–27°C (73–81°F) |
| pH | 6–7.5 |
| Hardness (GH) | 4–15 dGH |
| Group size | 6 or more (shoaling fish) |
| Temperament | Peaceful |
| Swims at | Middle |
| Diet | Omnivore |
| Care level | Easy |
| Lifespan | 3–5 years |
| Safe with shrimp? | Mostly (eats baby shrimp) |
| Safe with plants? | Yes |
Tank setup
A 20 gallon (76 L) tank about 24 in (60 cm) long suits a group of six, with more space for a bigger shoal. Dense planting, driftwood and a dark substrate bring out the glowing spots. Keep lighting fairly low and leave open water in the middle.
How many head and tail light tetras in a tank?
The smallest common tank that suits head and tail light tetras is a 20 gallon. Here is roughly how many fit in each size when they are the only fish, based on adult size and waste output. Leave room if you want tank mates.
| Tank | Head and tail light tetras (alone) |
|---|---|
| 3 gallon | Too small |
| 5 gallon | Too small |
| 10 gallon | Too small |
| 15 gallon | Too small |
| 20 gallon | 6–22 |
| 20 gallon long | 6–22 |
| 29 gallon | 6–33 |
| 40 gallon | 6–45 |
| 55 gallon | 6–62 |
| 75 gallon | 6–85 |
| 125 gallon | 6–142 |
What you need for head and tail light tetras
Sized for a 20 gallon tank, the smallest common size that suits a group of 6 head and tail light tetras. For a different tank or a mix of fish, use the stocking calculator for a list sized to your plan.
Tank and equipment
- 20 gallon aquarium (tank or kit) (opens Amazon in a new tab)Bigger tanks are more stable and easier for beginners. How to choose
- Aquarium stand for 20 gallons (opens Amazon in a new tab)The water alone weighs about 167 lb (76 kg), before glass, gravel and rock. How to choose
- Adjustable heater, 75 W (opens Amazon in a new tab)Holds about 77 °F (25 °C) in a room at 65 °F (18 °C). How to choose
- Aquarium thermometer (opens Amazon in a new tab)Check it daily: heaters can fail stuck on or off. How to choose
- Hang-on-back filter rated 80–120 GPH (opens Amazon in a new tab)Community tank: 4–6 times the tank volume per hour. How to choose
- About 35 lb of aquarium gravel (opens Amazon in a new tab)Enough for a layer about 2 in (5 cm) deep. Smooth gravel suits most community fish. How to choose
- Water conditioner (dechlorinator) (opens Amazon in a new tab)Removes chlorine and chloramine from tap water. Seachem Prime is a popular, concentrated choice. How to choose
- Liquid test kit (ammonia, nitrite, nitrate, pH) (opens Amazon in a new tab)Liquid kits are more accurate than strips. The API Freshwater Master Test Kit is the common choice. How to choose
- Gravel vacuum (siphon) (opens Amazon in a new tab)Cleans the gravel and does the water change in one go. How to choose
- LED aquarium light, about 24 in long (opens Amazon in a new tab)Match the light to the tank length. Basic LEDs grow easy plants. How to choose
Food and extras for head and tail light tetras
- Micro pellets or flakes for small fish (opens Amazon in a new tab)Small enough for tetras, rasboras and other nano fish.
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Water parameters
Keep it at 23–27 °C (73–81 °F), pH 6.0–7.5 and about 4–15 dGH. It adapts well to most tap water, though colors are best in softer, slightly acidic water. Change some water weekly to keep it clean.
Best tank mates for head and tail light tetras
These popular species share head and tail light tetras' water needs and temperament. See the full list of 97 good matches.
Betta fish
6.5 cm (2.6 in) · 24–28°C (75–82°F)
Cherry shrimp
3 cm (1.2 in) · 20–27°C (68–81°F)
Nerite snail
2.5 cm (1 in) · 22–27°C (72–81°F)
Guppy
5 cm (2 in) · 22–27°C (72–81°F)
Dwarf gourami
7.5 cm (3 in) · 24–28°C (75–82°F)
Neon tetra
3.5 cm (1.4 in) · 21–25°C (70–77°F)
Panda corydoras
4.5 cm (1.8 in) · 21–25°C (70–77°F)
Bristlenose pleco
12 cm (4.7 in) · 22–26°C (72–79°F)
Avoid keeping head and tail light tetras with
- Common goldfish: They need different temperatures: Head and tail light tetra 23–27°C (73–81°F), common goldfish 15–22°C (59–72°F).
- Oscar: Oscar can eat head and tail light tetras: they're small enough to fit in its mouth once it's grown.
- Bala shark: Bala shark can eat head and tail light tetras: they're small enough to fit in its mouth once it's grown.
- Chinese algae eater: Chinese algae eater is aggressive and will bully or injure peaceful head and tail light tetras.
- Convict cichlid: Convict cichlid is aggressive and will bully or injure peaceful head and tail light tetras.
- Discus: They need different temperatures: Head and tail light tetra 23–27°C (73–81°F), discus 28–30°C (82–86°F).
Feeding
An easy omnivore that accepts nearly any small food. Feed a quality flake or micro pellet daily. Add frozen or live bloodworm, daphnia and brine shrimp a few times a week to keep it in top shape.
Behavior
Peaceful and lively, it swims in a loose shoal in the middle of the tank. It is one of the best tetras for a general community. Good tank mates are livebearers, danios, rasboras, other tetras, corydoras, small plecos, gouramis and dwarf cichlids. Avoid angelfish and other fish big enough to eat it; baby shrimp may be eaten.
Breeding
Females are larger and heavier; in males the swim bladder, visible through the body, looks more pointed. Spawning is fairly easy in a dim tank with soft, acidic water and a spawning mop or mesh. Remove the adults once eggs appear, as they eat them. Fry swim after a few days and need infusoria at first.
Tips from experienced keepers
- Use a dark background and soft light to make the head and tail spots glow.
- Keep ten or more for the most natural, confident shoaling.
- A good choice for beginners, since it tolerates a wide range of tap water.
- Do not mix them with adult angelfish, which can eat small tetras.
Frequently asked questions
How many head and tail light tetras should be kept together?
Keep at least six, and ten or more if you can. In small groups they turn shy and hide.
Are head and tail light tetras good for beginners?
Yes. They are hardy, peaceful and adapt to most tap water, which makes them a good first schooling fish.
How big do head and tail light tetras get?
They reach about 1.8 in (4.5 cm) in aquariums. Females are a little larger and rounder than males.
Sources
We checked these references when writing this page. Values are for healthy long-term keeping, not survival limits. Last reviewed 2026-10-13. See our editorial policy.