Published on 05-10-2019
Looking at a school of vibrantly coloured fish swimming about really grabs one’s attention and keeps one in the moment. They are great for reducing the stress from our daily lives. Tetras are relatively inexpensive and keeping schools of one or two of these striking species, along with lush, green plants can make any aquarium the centrepiece of a room.
Each species of Tetra has their own set of water condition requirements. They also have different temperaments and suitable tankmates. In this article, we will look at what the different species need to thrive, so you can choose which species is right for your aquarium.
It can get difficult to choose from the wide variety of Tetra species available. Here are 24 species to help you decide.
In the table below, a Beginner is someone who has never kept aquarium fish before. An Intermediate is someone who has successfully kept fish for at least 2 years.
An Advanced fish keeper is someone who has kept multiple fish species healthy for several years, and knows what to do in times of emergencies. The species marked ‘Advanced’ cannot tolerate water that goes out of their preferred range, and will die in a short time if that happens.
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What to feed them: Pellets and flakes designed for Tetras (you need to crush pellets before putting them in the tank, as the Tetras’ mouths are too small to eat them whole), fish, shrimp, Bloodworms and Tubeworms (Freeze-dried or Live), Brine shrimp, deshelled peas, Algae wafers. (The fish, shrimp and peas should be cut small enough to be swallowed whole by the Tetras, otherwise the Tetras won’t be able to eat and the food will quickly make the water dirty.)
What not to feed them: Worms or fish that have been caught from outside shouldn’t be given directly. You can keep them in a separate tank for a week to ensure they don’t carry any parasites, and are in good health. Wild-caught food could transfer parasites to your Tetras!
Where they eat food from: Middle of the tank and bottom. They are infamous for being a bit difficult to feed, so it’s best to ask what they are fed (and how) from the store you are buying them and continue that pattern form the most part.
They do well with these plants: Any plant which will offer space for the Tetras to hide.
Min number of this species that should be kept together: 6 (Because they are schooling fish and feel safe in groups. Keeping them in smaller numbers or in small tanks tends to make them behave aggressively. In such cases, they will bite the fins and tails of other fishes, stressing them out.)
Is this a schooling fish? Yes
Will do well with these tank mates:(for the peaceful species) Other Tetras, Danios, Rasboras, Guppies, small Loaches.
(For Bucktooth Tetras)None. Best kept in a species-only tank. They will eat smaller fish, harass bigger fish and eat the scales off other fish, regardless of their size!
Do not keep with these tank mates: Shrimp, Goldfish, any aggressive fish like Cichlids. Any fish more than 4 inches in size can eat or severely injure Tetras.
Special care that needs to be taken, if any:
(for the peaceful species) They make great pets. However, don’t keep them with other fish that can fit Tetras in their mouths. They will eat the Tetras!
(For Blind Cave Tetras)Although they can be housed with other species, they are best kept in a species-only tank. It takes them longer to find the food, so other fish may gobble everything up quickly, leaving these guys hungry. To better simulate their natural environment, you can keep the tank in an area where there is only a little ambient lighting, without bright lights.
(For Bucktooth Tetras) Although they do accept plant matter, most of their diet needs to be meat. Worms, Daphnia, etc. are happily eaten. They are hardwired to eat the scales off other fish. It is not a behavioural issue, it’s just the way they are!
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