Rainbow Emperor Tetra – Nematobrycon lacortei
The Rainbow Emperor Tetra (Nematobrycon lacortei) is a beautiful freshwater schooling fish known for its iridescent rainbow coloration, elegant body shape, and peaceful nature. Under aquarium lighting, its colors can shift with subtle blue, green, purple, and golden tones, making it a standout fish in planted aquariums.
Rainbow Emperor Tetras are excellent for peaceful community tanks and aquascapes where color, movement, and a refined appearance are desired. They do best in groups, where they feel more secure and display natural schooling behavior.
Key Features
- Iridescent rainbow coloration under aquarium lighting
- Peaceful freshwater schooling fish
- Great for planted aquariums and community tanks
- Elegant swimming style with eye-catching movement
- Beautiful contrast against live plants and darker backgrounds
- Best kept in groups of 6 or more
Care Guide
- Scientific Name: Nematobrycon lacortei
- Common Name: Rainbow Emperor Tetra
- Care Level: Easy to moderate
- Temperament: Peaceful
- Adult Size: Approximately 1.5–2 inches
- Size at Sale: Approximately 1–1.5 inches
- Minimum Tank Size: 20 gallons or larger recommended
- Water Temperature: 74–80°F
- pH Range: 6.0–7.5
- Diet: Omnivore
Why Choose Rainbow Emperor Tetras?
Rainbow Emperor Tetras are prized for their shifting iridescent colors and graceful movement. Their premium appearance makes them a great choice for aquarists who want something more unique than common schooling fish while still keeping a peaceful community setup.
They look especially impressive in planted aquariums with driftwood, shaded areas, and darker backgrounds. A proper group helps bring out their best behavior, confidence, and color.
Ideal Tank Setup
Rainbow Emperor Tetras do best in a stable, fully cycled aquarium with live plants, open swimming space, and gentle to moderate filtration. Driftwood, floating plants, and darker substrate can help create a more natural environment and make their colors stand out.
Keep them in groups of at least 6 or more. Larger groups usually display better schooling behavior and help reduce stress.
Compatible Tankmates
- Other peaceful tetras
- Rasboras
- Corydoras catfish
- Small peaceful gouramis
- Dwarf cichlids with caution
- Otocinclus
- Shrimp with proper cover
- Snails
Diet & Feeding
Rainbow Emperor Tetras are omnivores and accept a variety of small aquarium foods. Feed quality micro pellets, small granules, flakes, frozen brine shrimp, daphnia, bloodworms, and other appropriately sized foods.
A varied diet helps support color, activity, and overall health. Feed small portions that the group can consume quickly.
Care Tips
- Keep in groups of 6 or more
- Provide live plants and open swimming space
- Maintain stable water conditions
- Use peaceful community tankmates
- Feed a varied diet of flakes, pellets, and frozen foods
- Avoid aggressive or fin-nipping fish
Frequently Asked Questions
Are Rainbow Emperor Tetras peaceful?
Yes. Rainbow Emperor Tetras are peaceful schooling fish that do well in calm community aquariums.
How many Rainbow Emperor Tetras should I keep together?
Keep at least 6 or more for best schooling behavior, confidence, and reduced stress.
Are Rainbow Emperor Tetras good for planted tanks?
Yes. They are excellent for planted aquariums, where their iridescent colors stand out beautifully against live plants and darker backgrounds.
What do Rainbow Emperor Tetras eat?
They eat flakes, micro pellets, small granules, frozen foods, and small live foods. A varied diet is best for color and health.
How big do Rainbow Emperor Tetras get?
They typically reach approximately 1.5–2 inches as adults.
Can Rainbow Emperor Tetras live with dwarf cichlids?
Yes, they can live with peaceful dwarf cichlids in a properly sized aquarium, but avoid overly aggressive or territorial tankmates.
Are these fish available for shipping?
No. Live fish are available for in-store purchase or local pickup only at Tropical Treasures Wyo in Cheyenne, Wyoming.
Available at Tropical Treasures Wyo
Rainbow Emperor Tetras are colorful schooling fish for planted aquariums, aquascapes, and peaceful freshwater community tanks. Visit Tropical Treasures Wyo in Cheyenne, Wyoming, to shop tetras, freshwater fish, shrimp, snails, live aquarium plants, fish food, filtration supplies, and aquarium care products. Live livestock is available for in-store purchase or local pickup only.
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Got these after considering a different tetra for some schooling fish in my 29 gallon platy tank. Picked up 6 of them several weeks ago and they are still strong and healthy. They eat well, have nice meaty bodies and are interactive instead of skittish. Great blue tones on their sides in the right light. Would get again.
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