The Firehead Tetra originates from the Rio Negro and Rio Meta basins in Brazil and Colombia where it inhabits blackwater creeks and tributaries that are acidic and stained brown from the resulting tannins of decaying organic matter. The scientific name of this species is Hemigrammus bleheri, which is worth noting since this species is commonly sold in local fish stores as the Rummynose Tetra – whose scientific name is Hemigrammus rhodostomus.