Flag Tetra

A slim tetra with a red, gold and black stripe along its side, like a flag, and also called the Belgian Flag Tetra. Its name is often misused for similar fish.

Check the scientific name when buying, as common names vary between sellers and countries.

Mature females are usually rounder in the belly, and males are usually slimmer and often brighter.

A long tank with open swimming water, plants around the edges and steady filtration suits this fish. A darker substrate and some floating plants usually bring out its colour.

Active and social, and most settled when kept with its own kind.

Keep a group of at least 6, and more if you can. Larger groups are calmer and show better colour and behaviour.

Not territorial, although males may spar and display.

Suits a community of similar-sized, peaceful fish that like the same water. Avoid large predators, which will treat it as food. It may eat baby shrimp.

Fairly tolerant of different water, if it is clean and stable.

A small omnivore that takes fine flake and micro pellets, with frozen daphnia for variety.

Feed small amounts, and remove anything left after a few minutes.

An egg scatterer with no parental care. Adults eat eggs and fry, so use a separate tank with fine plants, moss or mesh on the bottom, and remove the adults after spawning. The fry need very small foods at first.