GloFish Tetra: Neon Color Meets Classic Schooling Beauty

If you’ve ever walked past a brightly lit aquarium and spotted fish glowing in vibrant shades of electric blue, fluorescent green, or radiant orange, you were probably looking at GloFish Tetras — the neon cousins of the classic Black Skirt Tetra.

Created for maximum visual impact, GloFish Tetras combine the peaceful nature of the Black Skirt Tetra (Gymnocorymbus ternetzi) with bioluminescent-style color, making them perfect for community tanks, kids' aquariums, or eye-catching centerpieces in a modern setup.

Let’s dive into what makes them glow and how to care for them properly.

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What Exactly Is a GloFish Tetra?

• Scientific Name: Gymnocorymbus ternetzi (genetically modified)

• Common Name: GloFish Tetra

• Family: Characidae

• Size: 2–2.5 inches (5–6 cm)

• Lifespan: 3–5 years (can reach up to 7 with great care)

• Temperament: Peaceful, schooling

• Tank Level: Mid to upper

GloFish Tetras are genetically engineered versions of the Black Skirt Tetra. Scientists added fluorescent genes from jellyfish and sea coral to the DNA of the original fish. The result is a fish that glows under blue or actinic lighting — and never fades.

They are not dyed or injected, and the gene is inherited naturally by offspring.

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Available Colors

GloFish Tetras come in multiple fluorescent shades, each trademarked under unique names:

• ? Electric Green

• ? Cosmic Blue

• ? Galactic Purple

• ? Starfire Yellow

• ? Sunburst Orange

• ? Moonrise Pink

These colors glow brightest under blue LED lights, but are still visible under normal lighting.

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Tank Setup: Bright and Friendly

Despite their flashy appearance, GloFish Tetras are just like their Black Skirt Tetra relatives in terms of care.

Tank Size:

• Minimum: 15–20 gallons (for a school)

• Best: 20+ gallons for proper swimming space

Water Parameters:

• Temperature: 72–80°F (22–27°C)

• pH: 6.5–7.5

• Hardness: Moderate

• Flow: Mild to moderate

• Lighting: Blue LED or actinic light recommended to enhance glow

Decor Tips:

• Use dark substrate and plants with green/red leaves to make their color pop.

• Add driftwood or caves to mimic their natural environment.

• Floating plants can help diffuse harsh overhead light.

? Pro Tip: GloFish-branded LED kits are designed to enhance fluorescence but aren’t required for health.

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Behavior and Tankmates

GloFish Tetras are schooling fish, and like all tetras, they do best in groups.

School Size:

• 6 or more is essential for reducing stress and encouraging natural behavior.

• The more, the better — they look spectacular in larger schools.

Tankmates:

• Other peaceful community fish, such as:

  • Neon or ember tetras

  • Rasboras

  • Corydoras catfish

  • Livebearers (platies, guppies)

  • Gouramis (dwarf or honey)

  • Peaceful barbs (cherry barbs)

• Avoid fin-nipping or aggressive species like tiger barbs or large cichlids.

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Feeding and Diet

GloFish Tetras are omnivores and not picky eaters, but a good diet enhances their color and health.

What to Feed:

• High-quality tropical flakes or micro pellets

• Freeze-dried or frozen bloodworms, daphnia, brine shrimp

• Occasional veggie matter (like spirulina flakes)

Feed once or twice daily, in amounts they can consume in 2–3 minutes.

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Breeding GloFish Tetras

GloFish are patented and trademarked, and breeding them for sale is legally restricted in many regions. However, spawning can occur naturally in home aquariums under the right conditions.

Breeding Behavior:

• Egg scatterers: they release eggs over plants or substrate

• Males chase females during spawning

• Remove adults post-spawning to prevent egg-eating

• Eggs hatch in about 24–36 hours

Note: Even if you successfully breed them, it’s illegal to sell or distribute GloFish offspring without a license.

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Health and Maintenance

GloFish Tetras are robust and beginner-friendly, but like all tropical fish, they do best in stable, clean environments.

Watch For:

• Fin rot (usually from stress or poor water quality)

• Ich (treatable with heat and aquarium meds)

• Bloating or overfeeding (they have small stomachs)

Basic Care Tips:

• Weekly 25% water changes

• Test water regularly for ammonia, nitrite, nitrate

• Use gentle filtration with some surface agitation

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