Family: Characidae
Distribution: Prionobrama filigera, known commonly as Glass Bloodfin, is a pelagic South American species distributed in several parts of the Amazon River basin, including Ecuador, Peru, Bolivia, Columbia and Brazil.
PH: 6.0 – 8.0
Temperature: 23°C – 27C (72 – 79F)
Hardness: 1 – 30 dH
Description: Prionobrama filigera can reach up to 6 cm in length. Males have a dark stripe on the anal fin and slightly longer dorsal and anal fins; females have a fuller belly than males, particularly when spawning. It is very similar in appearance to Aphyocharax anisitsi, but lacks the red colouration in the anal and ventral fins. Prionobrama filigera has a life expectancy of up to 12 years.
Diet: The Glass Bloodfin will eat anything you give it; a varied diet of flake, fish pellets and live foods will do the job. Offer it treats of bloodworm and brine shrimp once or twice a week.
Breeding: This species is best bred in groups and will generally do its spawning in the early morning. As many as 200 – 350 eggs will be laid in a batch, most falling onto the substrate due to a lack of stickiness. Remove the adults from the tank as they will eat the eggs if given a chance. It does not take long for the eggs to hatch, around 15 days, and you can feed the free-swimming fry on freshly hatched shrimp.
Comments: This shoaling species will require at least a 70 litre tank. You should provide plenty of open areas for swimming and several plants – floating plants as well as Java fern and Java moss are recommended – and driftwood twigs. The presence of surface vegetation, resembling Prionobrama filigera’s natural habitat, will hopefully settle its nerves. You might like to scatter from leaf litter on your substrate to further simulate this species’ environment. The Glass Bloodfin is quite easy to maintain and is suitable for newcomers to the hobby.
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Recommended Compatible Species: This peaceful species can be kept with other non-aggressive species; it makes a good tank mate. They will live happily with most Tetra species (particularly the Neon Tetra and Black Tetra). They are also great tank mates with Discus, Apistogramma‘s like Apistogramma Cacatouides and Apistogramma Borelli, Corydoras Catfish (particularly Corydoras Sterbai and Corydoras aeneus) Angelfish, Clown loach, the common Guppy and Platy and most Gourami (such as the Blue Gourami and Dwarf Gourami like the Honey Gourami) Also can live happily with most Danio (particularly the Zebra Danio and Pearl Danio) and also many Killifish make great tank mates.
