Rathbun's bloodfin/Green Fire Tetra spawning colors and behavior. (Aphyocharax rathbuni)

The Rathbun's bloodfin/ Green fire tetra, or red belly tetra (Aphyocharax rathbuni) is a small sized tetra that does well in this community tank. Even with parameters not similar to how they are in the wild or how they should be according to internet blogs or care sheets, they still are conditioned to spawn, at least, once or twice a week. The males have their colors intensified with the black base and white tips of their fins getting really prominent. The water is hard coming from limestone wells and the pH at 7.8. Temperature is 24-26C.
#aquarium #fish #plantedtank

[@boebender]

Wow!!!

[@MorningDriftwood]

I'm glad you like them. 💙

[@duneaz]

Thankyou this has answered my question haha I was concerned some were sick but after seeing this I'm sure it's spawning behaviour big relief

[@MorningDriftwood]

I hope they're really not sick. 💙

[@VirginiaBronson]

Beautiful tank and gorgeous shots! I'm glad you've posted this. My green fire tetras started doing this today and I was wondering what the heck lol. The males do their little flashy sideways dance all the time, but today they started really getting more aggressive with it, and faster and brighter. I got them as wee little clear juveniles last March, so I guess this is my sign they're all mature or approaching maturity now. Thank you!

[@MorningDriftwood]

I'm glad it could be of help. Many times, these behaviors are interpreted as aggression, and during the same situations, the males can get their fins frayed due to their showing off dances, and when they launch themselves quickly through things when they actually spawn with the females. This also gets misinterpreted as fin-nipping, which gives them an undeserved reputation of being fin nippers. It's the same with many other tetras.

[@VirginiaBronson]

@@MorningDriftwood I can totally see how people would misinterpret that. Mine haven't ever nipped fins, and they weren't doing that yesterday, either. They were just extra, extra feisty lol. They share a heavily planted 36 gallon with some cory's, guppies, shrimp, and a very, very elderly betta who is now pretty placid and slow moving. They've never had a go at him even once. I find them to be gorgeous little gems that put on a flashy (literally) show. Thank you for getting back to me!

[@Aquafinity]

Wow, amazing footage! What camera do you use?

[@MorningDriftwood]

I have a camera with a 18-135mm(27-202mm 35mm equiv.) Lens. I use it to get shots which minimize the fish's reaction to me while they behave naturally. Though, most of my content are taken by my phone.