Watermelon Tetra (Hemigrammus coeruleus)

The Watermelon Tetra or Red Laser Tetra is a colorful larger growing species of Hemigrammus known from the middle and lower Rio Negro in Brazil, where it inhabits warm, acidic, soft water shallows, often in large mixed shoals with other similar tetra species. While this species’ normal coloration is an attractive reddish with a distinctive iridescent pink stripe, it gets its name and popularity from the coloration of adult males in breeding condition, which is a deep red with black trimmed fins. When on full display males in breeding color are easily among the most vibrantly colored of all South American tetra species. In the aquarium, the Watermelon Tetra is a hardy and robust species that will do well with a variety of tankmates. For optimal display they should be kept in groups of at least 5, but larger groups tend to bring out the best coloration and behavior in both males and females.