Small-scale Glass Tetra (Charax condei)

Charax condei, commonly known as the Small-scale Glass Tetra or Glass Headstander, is a rare and intriguing characin species native to South America. 

Species Overview

• Scientific Name: Charax condei (Géry & Knöppel, 1976)
• Common Names: Small-scale Glass Tetra, Glass Headstander
• Family: Characidae
• Subfamily: Characinae
• Origin: Rio Negro basin, Brazil and Colombia 
• Size: Up to 5.5 cm (2.2 inches) 

Habitat & Tank Setup

• Natural Habitat: Acidic blackwater streams with low light and sparse vegetation
• Tank Size: Minimum 20 gallons for a small group
• Water Parameters:
  • Temperature: 23–25°C (73–77°F)
  • pH: 5.5–7.5
  • Hardness: Soft to moderately hard (up to 20°dH) 
• Aquascaping:
  • Use driftwood, leaf litter, and rocks to create shaded hiding spots
  • Dim lighting and dark substrate enhance comfort and coloration
  • Plants are optional but help with water quality

Diet

• Feeding Type: Insectivore and micropredator
• Foods:
  • Live/frozen: mosquito larvae, brine shrimp, Daphnia
  • Prepared: flakes, micro-pellets once acclimated
• Behavior: May nip fins or scales of slow-moving or smaller fish

Behavior & Compatibility

• Temperament: Semi-aggressive; shy but can be nippy
• Social Structure: Loosely schooling; best kept in groups of 6+
• Tankmates:
  • Avoid slow or delicate species
  • Ideal companions: peaceful bottom dwellers like Corydoras 

Breeding

• Reproductive Mode: External fertilization; batch spawner
• Guild: Nonguarders; scatter eggs in open water or substrate
• Parental Care: None 

Appearance

• Body: Transparent or glass-like with small scales
• Posture: Often seen head-down, similar to headstanders
• Coloration: Subtle, best viewed under subdued lighting

Additional Notes

• IUCN Status: Least Concern
• Trade Availability: Rare; occasionally seen in specialty shops
• Old Synonym: Asiphonichthys condei