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Tetras are small, active schooling fish from South America and Africa, and they are the backbone of countless community aquariums. Neons, cardinals, rummy-noses and embers bring color and movement to the middle of the tank, and most stay peaceful with fish of similar size.
The key to keeping tetras well is the group. A single tetra or a pair will hide and lose color; a school of at least 6, ideally 10 or more, behaves naturally and looks far better. That is why our minimum tank sizes assume the full group: tiny embers fit a 10 gallon (40 L) tank, while larger species such as Congo or Buenos Aires tetras need much more swimming room.
- Water: most prefer soft to moderately hard, slightly acidic water and 74-80 °F (24-27 °C). Captive-bred neons adapt well to tap water.
- Temperament: generally peaceful, but serpae, black skirt and Buenos Aires tetras can nip long fins.
- Diet: omnivores; a quality flake or micro pellet plus frozen foods keeps them colorful.
Dense planting, a dark substrate and floating plants help shy species feel secure. Avoid adding tetras to a brand-new tank: neon and cardinal tetras are sensitive to ammonia spikes and do best in a mature, stable aquarium.
Tetras
| Species | Min. liters | Size | Temp. | Difficulty |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 Cardinal tetra Paracheirodon axelrodi | 21 gal (80 L) | 1.8 in (4.5 cm) | 73–84 °F (23–29 °C) | Moderate |
 Ember tetra Hyphessobrycon amandae | 11 gal (40 L) | 0.8 in (2 cm) | 73–82 °F (23–28 °C) | Easy |
 Neon tetra Paracheirodon innesi | 16 gal (60 L) | 1.4 in (3.5 cm) | 68–79 °F (20–26 °C) | Easy |
 Rummy-nose tetra Hemigrammus rhodostomus | 26 gal (100 L) | 1.8 in (4.5 cm) | 75–82 °F (24–28 °C) | Moderate |
 Black skirt tetra Gymnocorymbus ternetzi | 26 gal (100 L) | 2.2 in (5.5 cm) | 70–81 °F (21–27 °C) | Easy |
 Buenos Aires tetra Hyphessobrycon anisitsi | 40 gal (150 L) | 2.8 in (7 cm) | 64–79 °F (18–26 °C) | Easy |
 Congo tetra Phenacogrammus interruptus | 53 gal (200 L) | 3.1 in (8 cm) | 75–82 °F (24–28 °C) | Moderate |
 Copper tetra Hasemania nana | 16 gal (60 L) | 1.6 in (4 cm) | 72–82 °F (22–28 °C) | Easy |
 Diamond tetra Moenkhausia pittieri | 26 gal (100 L) | 2.4 in (6 cm) | 75–82 °F (24–28 °C) | Easy |
 Emperor tetra Nematobrycon palmeri | 21 gal (80 L) | 2 in (5 cm) | 73–81 °F (23–27 °C) | Easy |
 Glowlight tetra Hemigrammus erythrozonus | 16 gal (60 L) | 1.6 in (4 cm) | 75–82 °F (24–28 °C) | Easy |
 Lemon tetra Hyphessobrycon pulchripinnis | 21 gal (80 L) | 1.8 in (4.5 cm) | 72–82 °F (22–28 °C) | Easy |
 Penguin tetra Thayeria boehlkei | 21 gal (80 L) | 2.4 in (6 cm) | 72–82 °F (22–28 °C) | Easy |
 Red eye tetra Moenkhausia sanctaefilomenae | 26 gal (100 L) | 2.4 in (6 cm) | 72–82 °F (22–28 °C) | Easy |
 Serpae tetra Hyphessobrycon eques | 21 gal (80 L) | 1.6 in (4 cm) | 72–82 °F (22–28 °C) | Easy |
 X-ray tetra Pristella maxillaris | 16 gal (60 L) | 1.8 in (4.5 cm) | 75–82 °F (24–28 °C) | Easy |
No species match those filters.