Glass Tetra (Roeboides affinis)

The Glass Tetra is a small scale-eating characin from South America whose nearly transparent body with a distinctive black-outlined scale pattern makes it a unique conversation piece. It is known to nip scales from other fish (lepidophagy), a specialized feeding behavior that makes it challenging to house in a mixed community. Best kept in a species-specific tank or alongside tough, scale-armored companions like large catfish or loricariids that are too large and heavily armored to be affected.

House in a species-specific setup or with heavily armored or very large tankmates that are immune to scale-nipping. Maintain pH 5.5–7.5, temperature 23–28°C, GH 2–12 in soft to moderately hard water. Feed varied small meaty foods: Artemia, Daphnia, small bloodworm, and fine omnivore flake. Keep in groups of 6 or more to direct inter-specific aggression inward. Provide plenty of open swimming space.