Head and Tail Light Tetra Identification Guide
Spot the head-and-tail-light tetra by its glowing gold eye-spot and a matching bright spot at the base of the tail.
Read the full Head and Tail Light Tetra encyclopedia entry →
Key identification features
- Slender, translucent silvery body about 1.8 inches (4.5 cm) long
- Bright reflective gold-copper spot on the upper part of the eye and head region
- Matching reflective spot at the base of the tail, bordered above and below by black
- A faint horizontal line may run between the two light-catching spots
- Fins mostly clear with a light yellowish tinge
Common look-alikes
- Penguin tetra: has one continuous black stripe running into the lower tail lobe rather than two separate reflective spots.
- Glowlight tetra: shows a solid horizontal orange-red stripe along the whole body instead of two distinct light-catching points.
- Red-eye tetra: has a reddish upper eye but pairs it with a bold black bar on the caudal peduncle rather than a bright reflective tail spot.
Where you'll see one
Widely distributed across slow-moving streams, floodplains, and blackwater tributaries of the Amazon and Guiana Shield river systems in South America, typically schooling in open, shaded mid-water near vegetation and submerged roots.
Frequently asked questions
What gives the head-and-tail-light tetra its name?
Two shiny reflective spots, one near the eye and one at the base of the tail, that catch light like small lamps.
How do I avoid confusing it with a penguin tetra?
Penguin tetras have one continuous stripe into the lower tail lobe, while head-and-tail-light tetras show two separate, disconnected spots.