Fire Ant Tetra

Remarks:  The fire ant tetra is one of many new and exciting tetras that have been described in recent years. Having been described in 2017, fire ant tetras took the fish keeping hobby by storm with the regular males showing a vivid orange color and dominant males displaying some of the most vibrant red displayed by any tetra currently known. Unlike many other tetra species, they display very clear sexual dimorphism with the females having no red or orange colors and instead having greenish-silver bodies. Both sexes have a black, horizontal stripe that extends from the gill plate all the way into the center of the caudal fin with it being more apparent in females. This clear difference in appearance among mature males and females makes selecting fish for a breeding project much easier compared to other tetras.   The common name for the fire ant tetra comes from more than just its fire red colors and scientific name, it also comes from the river they were discovered in. The Rio Formiga, known as the the "Ant River" in English, is the tributary in which this new species was discovered. Their natural habitat comprises of clean, clear water which is very odd as most red colored tetras that are this small usually inhabit black or red water areas where their coloration helps them blend in. As they come from water nearly completely devoid of pollutants, fire ant tetras will not tolerate poor water quality so frequent water changes and careful attention to water parameters are a must. While being a very small species, they also require a large amount of space to feel most comfortable and display their best colors as competition among males can get very fierce. Providing lots of structure such as with driftwood and live plants can further help reduce this aggression and boost their confidence making them hide less. Fire ant tetras make their need for space and careful attention to water parameters absolutely worth it, however, with their high amounts of activity and brilliant red color that makes them an excellent addition to many peaceful community tanks.