Redtail Spotted Tetra - Parapristella georgiae Fish Profile & Care Guide
Introduction
The Redtail Spotted Tetra (Parapristella georgiae) is a peaceful characin found in South America. This species is recognised by its slender silver body, vivid red snout, and distinctive black-and-white banded tail fin. Unlike true rummy-nose Tetras, the red colouration is generally more restricted to the face and does not extend deeply through the head and body. Reaching approximately 5 cm in length, this species is admired for its graceful swimming behaviour and suitability for calm community aquariums.
As a naturally shoaling fish, Redtail Spotted Tetras should always be maintained in groups of at least six individuals, although larger schools produce far more confident and visually impressive behaviour. In sizable groups, they swim tightly together through the middle levels of the aquarium, displaying synchronised movement and stronger colouration. Specimens kept in small numbers often become nervous, withdrawn, and less colourful. Their calm nature and constant activity make them especially effective as dither fish in peaceful soft-water aquariums.
The Redtail Spotted Tetra is highly compatible with other peaceful community fish that appreciate similar water chemistry. Ideal tankmates include small tetras, pencilfish, Corydoras catfish, dwarf cichlids, hatchetfish, and gentle Loricariid catfish. They are particularly well-suited to Amazon-style aquariums and are sometimes kept alongside discus due to their calm temperament and midwater swimming habits. Aggressive, fin-nipping, or overly boisterous fish should be avoided, as Parapristella georgiae can be sensitive to stress and poor environmental conditions.
Redtail Spotted Tetras thrive in a mature, carefully maintained aquarium that closely reflects their natural habitat. Soft, slightly acidic water with consistent conditions is particularly important for this species, as it can be sensitive to sudden environmental changes. An aquarium decorated with dense vegetation, driftwood, leaf litter, and subdued lighting helps create a calm, natural setting that encourages more confident behaviour and stronger colouration. Efficient filtration and regular maintenance are essential to preserve excellent water quality, as these fish do not tolerate deteriorating conditions as well as some hardier tetra species.
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Sexual Dimorphism
Sexual dimorphism in Redtail Spotted Tetras appears to be subtle rather than strongly marked, so sexing should be treated as tentative unless the fish are mature and well-conditioned. Adult females are best identified by a slightly deeper body and a fuller, more rounded abdomen, especially when carrying eggs, while males tend to remain slimmer and more streamlined.
Quick Facts
| Scientific Name | Parapristella georgiae |
|---|---|
| Year Described | 1964 |
| Other Names | Peruvian Rummynose Tetra, Flag-Tailed Rummy-Nose |
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Classification | Actinopterygii |
| Order | Characiformes |
| Family | Acestrorhamphidae |
| Genus | Parapristella |
| Origins | Colombia Venezuela |
| Approx Max Size | 5 cm |
| Temperament | Peaceful |
| Aquarium Level | Bottom - Middle |
| Difficulty | Beginner - Intermediate |
| Shoaling | Yes |
| Best kept as | Groups 6+ |
| Diet & Feeding | Omnivore |
| Reproduction | Egg-Scatterer |
| Average Lifespan | Up to 5 Years |
Water Parameters
| Water Type | Freshwater |
|---|---|
| pH | 5.5 - 7.5 |
| GH | 2 - 10 |
| KH | 0 - 4 |
| TDS | 50 - 180 |
| ℉ | 72 - 79 |
|---|---|
| ℃ | 22 - 26 |
Natural Habitat
The Redtail Spotted Tetra is a South American freshwater characin found in the Orinoco drainage, with records from Colombia and Venezuela. It has been recorded from the Meta and Aguaro river basins, and its type locality is the Río Manacacias, which flows into the upper Río Meta near Restrepo in Colombia. Its natural habitat is best described as a tropical freshwater river-basin habitat, where it lives as a benthopelagic species, using the water column close to the bottom rather than staying only at the surface.
Breeding
Breeding Redtail Spotted Tetras in the home aquarium is considered moderately difficult, largely because the species requires very soft, clean water, and the fry are extremely delicate during their earliest stages of development. Like many South American characins, this fish is an egg scatterer that provides no parental care after spawning. Conditioned adults typically spawn among fine-leaved plants or spawning mops in a dimly lit aquarium, where the adhesive eggs are scattered and fertilised before falling into cover. Once spawning is complete, the adults should be removed immediately, as they will readily consume both eggs and newly hatched fry.
Successful spawning is usually encouraged through the use of soft, acidic water, subdued lighting, and a protein-rich diet consisting of live or frozen foods. Breeding pairs often display more intense colouration before spawning, while females become noticeably fuller with eggs. The eggs are highly sensitive to bright light and poor water conditions, so breeders commonly keep the aquarium darkened during incubation. Under suitable conditions, the eggs hatch quickly, and the fry become free-swimming a few days later, although raising them can be challenging due to their tiny size and need for microscopic foods during early growth.
Diet & Feeding
The Redtail Spotted Tetra is best described as a small, active omnivore with a clear preference for tiny animal-based foods. In the wild, it should be expected to browse for small aquatic invertebrates and other fine edible matter in the water column, rather than graze heavily on plants. In the aquarium, it should accept good-quality fine flake or micro pellets, but it will do best when these are varied with small frozen or live foods such as Artemia, daphnia, small mosquito larvae, cyclops and similar foods that suit its small mouth. Feed modest portions that are eaten quickly, as this species is linked with soft, clean, acidic water conditions and poor water quality can affect it easily. For colour, condition and breeding readiness, a varied diet is much better than relying on dry food alone.
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Published: 18 May 2026
Last Updated: 19 May 2026