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Contents
Overview
The copper tetra, also sold as the silvertip tetra, is a small characin of about 1.6 inches (4 cm). Males develop a striking metallic copper color, with white-tipped fins and a dark spot at the base of the tail, while females are more silvery and subdued. A detail that helps identify it: unlike almost all tetras, it has no adipose fin. It comes from the São Francisco River basin in eastern Brazil.
It is a very active, hardy fish that is not fussy about water chemistry, which makes it a good option for beginners. Its color depends heavily on its surroundings: it can look dull in the store, but in a dark, planted tank it shines like a new penny.
Care and tank setup
A school of ten needs at least 16 gallons (60 L) with good swimming room, and a longer tank is even better because these fish are always on the move. Provide a filter and a heater; they tolerate soft to moderately hard water as long as it is stable.
- Aquascape: plants along the back and sides, driftwood and an open area in the middle. Dark substrate and moderate light bring out the males' copper sheen.
- School size: they are very social; in small groups they get stressed and may nip slow fish. With ten or more they behave peacefully.
- Tank mates: corydoras, rasboras, danios, other active tetras, otocinclus and adult shrimp. Avoid bettas and slow, long-finned fish.
Do weekly water changes and never add them to an uncycled tank. Never release them into rivers or ponds.
Feeding
An easygoing omnivore that eats flakes, micro pellets and powdered foods, and colors up with frozen or live brine shrimp, daphnia, bloodworms or cyclops several times a week. Because it is so active, split food into two small meals a day so it does not grab everything ahead of slower tank mates. A weekly fasting day does them no harm.
Breeding
Copper tetras scatter their eggs among fine plants and give no care. They breed readily in a separate tank with soft, slightly acidic water, Java moss or a mesh and soft lighting. Remove the parents after spawning. The eggs hatch in one to two days, and the fry take infusoria, then baby brine shrimp. During courtship, males show their most intense copper color.
Compatible tank mates
Species from our database that share water parameters, size and temperament with the Copper tetra. Calculated from the data in each profile.
Bristlenose pleco Ancistrus sp. 26 gal (100 L) · 72–81 °F (22–27 °C) 
Betta fish Betta splendens 7 gal (25 L) · 75–82 °F (24–28 °C) 
Bronze cory Corydoras aeneus 21 gal (80 L) · 72–81 °F (22–27 °C) 
Zebra danio Danio rerio 16 gal (60 L) · 64–77 °F (18–25 °C) 
Guppy Poecilia reticulata 14 gal (54 L) · 72–82 °F (22–28 °C) 
Cherry barb Puntius titteya 16 gal (60 L) · 73–81 °F (23–27 °C) 
Tiger barb Puntigrus tetrazona 26 gal (100 L) · 72–79 °F (22–26 °C) 
Nerite snail Neritina natalensis 5 gal (20 L) · 72–82 °F (22–28 °C) 
Horned nerite snail Clithon corona 5 gal (20 L) · 72–82 °F (22–28 °C) 
Panda cory Corydoras panda 16 gal (60 L) · 68–77 °F (20–25 °C) 
Amano shrimp Caridina multidentata 11 gal (40 L) · 64–82 °F (18–28 °C) 
Cherry shrimp Neocaridina davidi 5 gal (20 L) · 64–81 °F (18–27 °C) Check the compatibility of your whole tank →
What not to keep it with
Popular species you shouldn’t house with the Copper tetra, and why.
- Common goldfish: one may eat the other due to size
- Angelfish: one may eat the other due to size
- Clown loach: one may eat the other due to size
- Oranda goldfish: one may eat the other due to size
- Oscar: one may eat the other due to size, incompatible temperaments
Recommended equipment
What you need to keep the Copper tetra healthy, checked against Amazon stock.
Frequently asked questions
How many liters does a Copper tetra need?
At least about 60 liters for a group of at least 10 fish. More space always helps keep the water stable.
What water temperature does the Copper tetra need?
Between 22 and 28 °C, with a pH of 6 to 7.8.
What fish can live with the Copper tetra?
Based on water, size and temperament, it fits with species such as Bristlenose pleco, Betta fish, Bronze cory, Zebra danio and Guppy. Use our compatibility calculator to check your whole tank.
Can the Copper tetra be kept with shrimp?
Yes: it usually won’t eat adult shrimp, though some shrimplets may get picked off. A tank with plenty of moss gives the babies cover.
