Glowlight tetras with shrimp

By the Shrimp Tank Hub editorsUpdated Oct 26, 2026Research-based

The glowlight tetra (Hemigrammus erythrozonus) is a small characin with a glowing orange-red line along each side. Seriously Fish says it is known in the wild only from the Rio Essequibo in Guyana, where it lives in forested, tannin-stained tributaries, but every fish in the trade is mass-bred on commercial farms. That makes it hardy, cheap and adaptable, and Seriously Fish calls it one of the best choices for a newcomer. An albino form is also sold.

Glowlight tetra at a glance

Will glowlight tetras eat shrimp?

• Adult shrimp: no. The Shrimp Farm's tankmate list rates glowlights as not eating adult shrimp, and Practical Fishkeeping's Bob Mehan suggests a group of 10 glowlights for a reader's planted tank with Endlers and cherry shrimp.
• Shrimplets: some will be eaten. Neale Monks of Practical Fishkeeping says pretty much any active predator fish, even a small tetra, views hatchling shrimp as food, and that many tetras and rasboras will take baby shrimp given the chance. Glowlights eat small live foods such as Daphnia and brine shrimp (Seriously Fish), and a newborn shrimp is about that size.
• Eggs and berried females: safe. Shrimp carry their eggs under the tail.
• Male cherry shrimp: Neale Monks notes that the smaller males tend to hide with active fish around, while the larger females are bolder.

If you want a tetra that is a little gentler on babies, compare ember tetras with shrimp. For similar-sized options, see neon tetras with shrimp and rummy-nose tetras with shrimp, or the full cherry shrimp tank mates list.

Matching the water

Seriously Fish lists 75–82 °F, pH 5.5–7.5 and 2–15 dGH for glowlights. Cherry-type shrimp tolerate 65–85 °F, pH 6.2–8.0 and GH 4–8 (The Shrimp Farm). By our comparison:

• With cherry shrimp: about 75–80 °F, pH 6.5–7.5 and GH 4–8 fits both. That's a warm tank for shrimp, so keep it stable and avoid summer spikes. See shrimp tank temperature.
• With crystal and other Caridina: a poor match. Crystal reds do best at about 68–74 °F (see crystal red shrimp care), below the glowlight's 75 °F minimum.

Match the new water's temperature and hardness at every water change. See shrimp tank water changes and shrimp water parameters.

Tank size and setup

• Size: Seriously Fish suggests a base of about 24 × 15 in (about 18 gallons) for a small group, and The Shrimp Farm lists 20+ gallons.
• Heavy planting: Seriously Fish says glowlights look best in a heavily planted tank and can look washed out in a bare one. For shrimp, add dense moss and fine-leaved plants where babies can hide; Aquarium Co-Op says dense foliage gives baby shrimp hiding spots so fish have a harder time catching them. See java moss for shrimp and best plants for a shrimp tank.
• Dim light and botanicals: Seriously Fish suggests dried leaves, driftwood and fairly dim light to bring out the color, which also suits shrimp. See driftwood and botanicals for shrimp.
• Mature tank: see how to cycle a shrimp tank. Gentle filtration works for both; see shrimp-safe filters.

Keep a real school

Seriously Fish says to buy at least 6, preferably 10 or more: glowlights are a shoaling species and do much better in a group, and they look better that way too. Mature females are rounder-bellied and grow a little larger than males (Seriously Fish).

Other good tankmates

Seriously Fish calls the glowlight one of the best tetras for a general community and lists livebearers, danios, rasboras, other tetras, corydoras and small loricariids as good companions. For a shrimp tank, pick the smallest of those. See pygmy corydoras with shrimp, otocinclus with shrimp and Endlers with shrimp. Seriously Fish also says glowlights can live with most dwarf cichlids, but Aquarium Co-Op warns that dwarf cichlids go after shrimp.

Feeding both

Seriously Fish says glowlights take almost anything, and recommends regular small live and frozen foods such as bloodworm, Daphnia and brine shrimp along with flakes and granules for the best color. Well-fed fish hunt less, so feed the tetras first, then drop sinking shrimp food in a planted corner (our suggestion). See best shrimp food.

How to add glowlight tetras to a shrimp tank

• Shrimp first. Practical Fishkeeping suggests letting the shrimp colony build up before adding fish, and Neale Monks recommends starting with a dozen or more shrimp of both sexes.
• Keep a backup colony in another tank if you breed or sell shrimp.
• Acclimate slowly. See how to drip acclimate.
• Watch shrimplet numbers for the first few weeks.
• Quarantine the fish separately. Practical Fishkeeping says many fish medications are not safe for invertebrates. If fish get sick, ask a fish veterinarian or an experienced store about treatment that won't harm the shrimp. See how to quarantine and is copper toxic to shrimp.

Common mistakes

• Buying only two or three glowlights.
• A bare tank with no moss for shrimplets.
• Trying to keep them with crystal shrimp in cool water.
• Adding fish before the shrimp colony is established.
• Expecting a shrimp colony to grow as fast as in a shrimp-only tank.

Track it

Log temperature, pH, GH and TDS on the free Water Parameter Log printable so you can keep the tank in the range both species share.

Frequently asked questions

Will glowlight tetras eat cherry shrimp?

Not adults. The Shrimp Farm says glowlights do not eat adult shrimp, but Practical Fishkeeping warns that even small tetras will eat hatchling shrimp, so expect shrimplet losses.

Can glowlight tetras live with crystal red shrimp?

It is a poor match. Glowlights need about 75 to 82 °F (Seriously Fish), warmer than the roughly 68 to 74 °F crystal reds prefer.

What water do glowlight tetras need?

Seriously Fish lists 75 to 82 °F, pH 5.5 to 7.5 and 2 to 15 dGH. With cherry shrimp, aim for about 75 to 80 °F and pH 6.5 to 7.5.

How many glowlight tetras should I keep?

At least 6, preferably 10 or more, according to Seriously Fish.

How big do glowlight tetras get?

About 1.6 inches (40 mm standard length), according to Seriously Fish and The Shrimp Farm.

Will cherry shrimp still breed with glowlight tetras?

Usually yes, but fewer babies survive. Dense moss and plants give shrimplets places to hide.

Sources: Seriously Fish, Hemigrammus erythrozonus (glowlight tetra) (known only from the Rio Essequibo, Guyana; tannin-stained forest tributaries; all trade fish mass-bred; albino form; hardy and good for beginners; 40 mm SL; base 60 × 38 cm, about 68 liters; heavily planted, dim light, wood and leaves; 24–28 °C, pH 5.5–7.5, 2–15 dGH, more colorful in acidic water; eats almost anything, small live and frozen foods plus dry food; peaceful community tetra; tankmates; at least 6, preferably 10 or more; female rounder and slightly larger; adults eat eggs); The Shrimp Farm, Shrimp tankmates and compatibility (glowlight tetra up to 1.6 in, 20+ gallons, easy, does not eat adult shrimp); Practical Fishkeeping, What can I keep to add midwater movement? (Bob Mehan suggests a group of 10 glowlights for a 60-liter tank with Endlers and cherry shrimp); Practical Fishkeeping, Can I safely add some shrimp? (Neale Monks: smaller male cherry shrimp hide with active fish; colonies of a dozen or more; any active predator fish, even a tetra, views hatchling shrimp as food; many tetras and rasboras take baby shrimp); Practical Fishkeeping, What can I keep with shrimp? (build the shrimp colony first; many fish medications unsafe for invertebrates); Aquarium Co-Op, Cherry shrimp tank mates (dense foliage gives baby shrimp hiding spots; dwarf cichlids go after shrimp); The Shrimp Farm, Red rili shrimp tank set-up and care (cherry-type Neocaridina: 65–85 °F, pH 6.2–8.0, GH 4–8). The shared water zones and stocking suggestions are our own.