Tetra fish are one of the most popular groups of aquarium fish among fishkeepers. With over 150 different and unique tetra species, fishkeepers of every experience level can find a variety to enjoy.
Tetras are small freshwater schooling fish that are technically known as characiforms. They are available in a variety of different colors, sizes, and fin types that contribute to their popularity in the aquarium hobby.
You are reading: 10 Types Of Tetra Fish
Tetras are generally hardy and easy to care for, making them suitable for almost any kind of tank setup. In this article, we will introduce you to some of the most popular types of tetra fish that you can keep in your aquarium.
10 Types Of Tetra Fish
Neon Tetra
The neon tetra (Paracheirodon innesi) is a small freshwater fish that is native to blackwater and clearwater streams in the Amazon basin of South America. It is one of the most popular aquarium fish in the world due to its bright and vibrant colors.
The neon tetra has a slender torpedo-shaped body that reaches no more than an inch and a half in length. Its bright coloration makes the fish visible to conspecifics in the dark blackwater streams, and is also the main reason for its popularity among freshwater fish hobbyists.
The fish is characterized by an iridescent blue horizontal stripe along each side of the fish from its nose to the base of the adipose fin, and an iridescent red stripe that begins at the middle of the body and extends posteriorly to the base of the caudal fin.
The fish is partially transparent (including fins) except for these markings. Neon tetras are generally hardy and easy to care for, making them suitable for almost any kind of tank setup. They are peaceful and can be kept in groups of at least six in a community tank with other peaceful fish.
Black Skirt Tetra
The black skirt tetra (Gymnocorymbus ternetzi), also known as the black tetra, petticoat tetra, high-fin black skirt tetra, black widow tetra, and blackamoor, is a freshwater fish of the characin family that is native to the Paraguay River basin of south-central Brazil, Paraguay, and northeast Argentina. It is a schooling fish that is often kept in aquariums due to its hardiness and ease of care.
The black skirt tetra has a roughly tetragonal body shape that grows up to 3 inches in length, and is grayish in color, fading from near black at the tail to light at the nose.
Two prominent, black, vertical bars appear just posterior to the gills, and the fish has a dense field of dark chromatophores spread homogeneously over the posterior one half of the body.
The fish is an omnivore that feeds on small crustaceans, insects, and worms in the wild, but can be fed live and frozen foods in captivity. Black skirt tetras are generally peaceful and can be kept in schools of at least six in a community tank with other peaceful fish.
Cardinal Tetra
The cardinal tetra (Paracheirodon axelrodi) is a freshwater fish that belongs to the family Characidae of order Characiformes. It is native to the upper Orinoco and Negro Rivers in South America.
The cardinal tetra is a small fish that grows to about 3 cm (1.2 in) in length. It has a striking iridescent blue line that laterally bisects the fish, with the body below this line being vivid red in color, hence the name “cardinal tetra”.
The fish is partially transparent, with the underbelly being a soft white, and the tail and other fins being transparent. Cardinal tetras are generally peaceful and can be kept in schools of at least six in a community tank with other peaceful fish.
They are omnivores that feed on worms and small crustaceans in the wild, but can be fed live and frozen foods in captivity. The fish is difficult to breed in captivity, but remains a very popular aquarium fish due to its bright and vibrant colors.
X-Ray Tetra or Pristella Tetra
The X-Ray Tetra, also known as the Pristella Tetra, is a small freshwater fish that is native to the Amazon and Orinoco basins, as well as coastal rivers in the Guianas. Here are some key facts about the X-Ray Tetra:
Appearance:
– The X-Ray Tetra has a translucent body, which is why it is commonly referred to as the X-Ray fish or X-Ray Tetra.
– It has a yellow-gold body with a black dorsal fin and a white underbelly.
– The fish has a small adipose fin and a forked tail.
Care:
– The X-Ray Tetra is a hardy and adaptable fish that can tolerate a range of water chemistry values (pH 6-8; hardness up to 20 dGH).
– It is a shoaling species that should be kept in groups of at least six specimens.
– The minimum aquarium size for the X-Ray Tetra is typically 15 gallons.
– It is an omnivore that will eat most fish foods.
Tank Mates:
– The X-Ray Tetra is a peaceful fish that can be kept with other peaceful fish in a community tank.
– It should be kept away from aggressive or predatory tank mates.
Breeding:
– Breeding the X-Ray Tetra in captivity can be challenging, but it is possible with the right conditions.
– The fish is an egg-scatterer that will lay its eggs on plants or other surfaces in the aquarium.
– The eggs will hatch in about 24-36 hours, and the fry will become free-swimming after about 3-4 days.
Overall, the X-Ray Tetra is a beautiful and hardy fish that is suitable for most aquariums. Its unique appearance and peaceful nature make it a popular choice among freshwater fish hobbyists.
Congo Tetra
The Congo Tetra (Phenacogrammus interruptus) is a freshwater fish that belongs to the African tetra family. It is native to the central Congo River Basin in Africa. Here are some key facts about the Congo Tetra:
Appearance:
– The Congo Tetra has a typical full-bodied tetra shape with rather large scales.
– When mature, the iridescent colors of the Congo Tetra run through the fish from front to back, starting with blue on top changing to red through the middle, to yellow-gold, and back to blue just above the belly.
– It is not its fluorescent colors that make this tetra so distinct, but rather its tail fin, which develops into a grayish-violet feathery appendage with white edges.
– The males can grow up to 3.0 inches (8.5 cm).
Care:
– Congo Tetras are a popular aquarium species, but their large size and active behavior makes them unsuited for most smaller tanks.
– They easily adapt to captive diets like pellets and frozen foods, though they will still hunt down live foods when offered.
– They have successfully been bred in captivity and captive-bred individuals are commonly available.
– Whilst they can be kept healthy on a slightly wider range of water parameters, breeding often requires water parameters more similar to their natural habitat.
Tank Mates:
– Congo Tetras are peaceful fish that can be kept with other peaceful fish in a community tank.
– They should be kept away from aggressive or predatory tank mates.
Habitat:
– Congo Tetras are found in the Congo River Basin, where they populate streams, tributaries, pools, and marshes, preferring murky, slightly acidic water.
– They generally congregate in areas with tall vegetation, few trees, and substrates made up of sand, silt, and mud.
– They swim in large schools and feed on worms, crustacea, insects, plant matter, and algae.
Overall, the Congo Tetra is a beautiful and hardy fish that is suitable for most aquariums. Its unique appearance and peaceful nature make it a popular choice among freshwater fish hobbyists.
Rainbow Tetra
The Rainbow Tetra (Nematobrycon lacortei) is a freshwater fish that belongs to the family Characidae. Here are some key facts about the Rainbow Tetra:
Appearance:
– The Rainbow Tetra has a slender, elongated body that grows up to 2 inches (5 cm) in length.
– It has a silver body with a blue-green iridescence on the upper half of its body and a yellow-orange iridescence on the lower half.
– The fish has a black stripe that runs horizontally along its body, and its fins are transparent.
Care:
– Rainbow Tetras are a hardy and adaptable fish that can tolerate a range of water chemistry values (pH 6-8; hardness up to 15 dGH).
– They are a shoaling species that should be kept in groups of at least six specimens.
– The minimum aquarium size for the Rainbow Tetra is typically 10 gallons.
– They are omnivores that will eat most fish foods.
Tank Mates:
– Rainbow Tetras are peaceful fish that can be kept with other peaceful fish in a community tank.
– They should be kept away from aggressive or predatory tank mates.
Breeding:
– Breeding the Rainbow Tetra in captivity can be challenging, but it is possible with the right conditions.
– The fish is an egg-scatterer that will lay its eggs on plants or other surfaces in the aquarium.
– The eggs will hatch in about 24-36 hours, and the fry will become free-swimming after about 3-4 days.
Overall, the Rainbow Tetra is a beautiful and hardy fish that is suitable for most aquariums. Its unique appearance and peaceful nature make it a popular choice among freshwater fish hobbyists.
Bloodfin Tetra
The Bloodfin Tetra (Aphyocharax anisitsi) is a freshwater fish that is native to the Paraná River basin in South America. Here are some key facts about the Bloodfin Tetra:
Appearance:
– The Bloodfin Tetra has a silver body with a blood-red coloration on its tail, dorsal, anal, and adipose fins.
– The fish has a typical tetra shape with a forked tail and a small adipose fin.
– Adult males are slightly smaller and lighter than females, but males and females look alike.
Care:
– Bloodfin Tetras are a hardy and adaptable fish that can tolerate a range of water chemistry values (pH 6.5-8.0; hardness up to 20 dGH).
– They are a shoaling species that should be kept in groups of at least six specimens.
– The minimum aquarium size for the Bloodfin Tetra is typically 10 gallons.
– They are omnivores that will eat most fish foods, but prefer live or frozen foods like worms and shrimp.
Tank Mates:
– Bloodfin Tetras are peaceful fish that can be kept with other peaceful fish in a community tank.
– They should be kept away from aggressive or predatory tank mates.
Breeding:
– Breeding the Bloodfin Tetra in captivity can be challenging, but it is possible with the right conditions.
– The fish is an egg-scatterer that will lay its eggs on plants or other surfaces in the aquarium.
– The eggs will hatch in about 24-36 hours, and the fry will become free-swimming after about 3-4 days.
Overall, the Bloodfin Tetra is a beautiful and hardy fish that is suitable for most aquariums. Its unique appearance and peaceful nature make it a popular choice among freshwater fish hobbyists.
Ember Tetra
The Ember Tetra (Hyphessobrycon amandae) is a freshwater fish that belongs to the characin family of order Characiformes. It is native to the Araguaia River basin of Brazil and was discovered in 1987 and named in honor of the fish explorer Heiko Bleher’s mother. Here are some key facts about the Ember Tetra:
Appearance:
– The Ember Tetra has a bright orange-red body that is slightly translucent with a coppery sheen.
– The fish has a typical tetra shape with a forked tail and a small adipose fin.
– Adult males are slightly smaller and lighter than females, but males and females look alike.
Care:
– Ember Tetras are a hardy and adaptable fish that can tolerate a range of water chemistry values (pH 6-7.5; hardness up to 10 dGH).
– They are a shoaling species that should be kept in groups of at least six specimens.
– The minimum aquarium size for the Ember Tetra is typically 10 gallons.
– They are omnivores that will eat most fish foods, but prefer live or frozen foods like worms and shrimp.
Tank Mates:
– Ember Tetras are peaceful fish that can be kept with other peaceful fish in a community tank.
– They should be kept away from aggressive or predatory tank mates.
Breeding:
– Breeding the Ember Tetra in captivity can be challenging, but it is possible with the right conditions.
– The fish is an egg-scatterer that will lay its eggs on plants or other surfaces in the aquarium.
– The eggs will hatch in about 24-36 hours, and the fry will become free-swimming after about 3-4 days.
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Overall, the Ember Tetra is a beautiful and hardy fish that is suitable for most aquariums. Its unique appearance and peaceful nature make it a popular choice among freshwater fish hobbyists.
Diamond Tetra
The Diamond Tetra (Moenkhausia pittieri) is a small freshwater fish that belongs to the characin family of order Characiformes. Here are some key facts about the Diamond Tetra:
Appearance:
– The Diamond Tetra has a silver body with a diamond-shaped iridescent scale pattern that sparkles like a diamond.
– The fish has a typical tetra shape with a forked tail and a small adipose fin.
– Adult males are slightly smaller and lighter than females, but males and females look alike.
Care:
– Diamond Tetras are a hardy and adaptable fish that can tolerate a range of water chemistry values (pH 6-8; hardness up to 15 dGH).
– They are a shoaling species that should be kept in groups of at least six specimens.
– The minimum aquarium size for the Diamond Tetra is typically 15 gallons.
– They are omnivores that will eat most fish foods, but prefer live or frozen foods like worms and shrimp.
Tank Mates:
– Diamond Tetras are peaceful fish that can be kept with other peaceful fish in a community tank.
– They should be kept away from aggressive or predatory tank mates.
Breeding:
– Breeding the Diamond Tetra in captivity can be challenging, but it is possible with the right conditions.
– The fish is an egg-scatterer that will lay its eggs on plants or other surfaces in the aquarium.
– The eggs will hatch in about 24-36 hours, and the fry will become free-swimming after about 3-4 days.
Overall, the Diamond Tetra is a beautiful and hardy fish that is suitable for most aquariums. Its unique appearance and peaceful nature make it a popular choice among freshwater fish hobbyists.
Serpae Tetra
The Serpae Tetra (Hyphessobrycon eques), also known as the Red Minor Tetra, Jewel Tetra, or Callistus Tetra, is a species of tetra that is native to the Amazon River drainage in Brazil, Peru, Paraguay, Bolivia, and northern Argentina. Here are some key facts about the Serpae Tetra:
Appearance:
– The Serpae Tetra has a flat and tall body with a deep red coloration and a black comma-shaped spot behind the gills.
– The dorsal fin is predominantly black, and all other fins are red.
– The fish can grow up to 2 inches (5 cm) in length.
Care:
– Serpae Tetras are a hardy and adaptable fish that can tolerate a range of water chemistry values (pH 6-8; hardness up to 20 dGH).
– They are a shoaling species that should be kept in groups of at least six specimens.
– The minimum aquarium size for the Serpae Tetra is typically 15 gallons.
– They are omnivores that will eat most fish foods, but prefer live or frozen foods like worms and shrimp.
Tank Mates:
– Serpae Tetras are generally peaceful fish, but can become mildly aggressive when kept with slow-moving species.
– They should be kept away from aggressive or predatory tank mates.
Breeding:
– Breeding the Serpae Tetra in captivity can be challenging, but it is possible with the right conditions.
– The fish is an egg-scatterer that will lay its eggs on plants or other surfaces in the aquarium.
– The eggs will hatch in about 24-36 hours, and the fry will become free-swimming after about 3-4 days.
Overall, the Serpae Tetra is a beautiful and hardy fish that is suitable for most aquariums. Its unique appearance and peaceful nature make it a popular choice among freshwater fish hobbyists, but it should be kept in mind that they can become mildly aggressive when kept with slow-moving species.
FAQS
1. What are tetra fish?
Tetra fish are a type of freshwater fish that belong to the family Characidae of order Characiformes. They are known for their bright colors and peaceful nature, and are popular among freshwater fish hobbyists.
2. How many types of tetra fish are there?
There are over 150 different species of tetra fish, each with its own unique characteristics and appearance.
3. What are some popular types of tetra fish?
Some popular types of tetra fish include the Neon Tetra, Black Skirt Tetra, Cardinal Tetra, Ember Tetra, Diamond Tetra, and Congo Tetra.
4. What is the minimum tank size for tetra fish?
The minimum tank size for tetra fish varies depending on the species, but it is generally recommended to keep them in a tank that is at least 10-15 gallons.
5. What do tetra fish eat?
Tetra fish are omnivores and will eat most fish foods, including flakes, pellets, and frozen or live foods like worms and shrimp.
6. Can tetra fish be kept with other fish?
Yes, tetra fish are generally peaceful and can be kept with other peaceful fish in a community tank. However, they should be kept away from aggressive or predatory tank mates.
7. How do you breed tetra fish?
Breeding tetra fish in captivity can be challenging, but it is possible with the right conditions. The fish is an egg-scatterer that will lay its eggs on plants or other surfaces in the aquarium. The eggs will hatch in about 24-36 hours, and the fry will become free-swimming after about 3-4 days.
8. What is the best food to give to tetra fish?
Tetra fish will eat most fish foods, but a varied diet that includes live or frozen foods like worms and shrimp is recommended for optimal health and coloration.
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