Among the most adored and well-liked fish in the aquarium hobby are tetras. They infuse any tank with vitality and movement with their lively swimming patterns and brilliant colors. These peaceful, small fish are perfect for beginning and seasoned aquarium owners alike.
Tetras’ versatility is a major factor in their popularity. They are simple to take care of because they can flourish in a range of water conditions. When housed in groups, tetras’ schooling behavior produces an enthralling display that gives the aquarium more movement.
Tetras are available in a variety of species and are not only aesthetically pleasing and easy to maintain. Every species has a distinct attraction, ranging from the well-known neon tetra to the eye-catching black phantom tetra. Because of their variety, aquarists can combine various tetra species to create aesthetically pleasing and well-balanced aquarium environments.
Type | Description |
Neon Tetra | Small, peaceful fish with a bright blue and red stripe. They prefer to swim in schools and thrive in well-planted tanks. |
Cardinal Tetra | Similar to Neon Tetras but with a more intense red coloration. They enjoy a calm environment with plenty of hiding spots. |
Glowlight Tetra | Named for their glowing orange stripe, these fish are hardy and easy to care for, making them great for beginners. |
Ember Tetra | These tiny fish have a warm, orange color. They are peaceful and do well in community tanks. |
Congo Tetra | Larger than most tetras, Congo Tetras have iridescent scales that shimmer in the light. They prefer a spacious tank with soft water. |
- Tetra varieties
- Basic requirements for maintenance and care
- Basic feeding rules
- Features of reproduction
- Compatibility and nature of fish
- Sexual differences
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Tetra varieties
The diversity of species can make other aquarium occupants envious. Let’s look at the more typical one first:
Type | Description |
Glowworm tetra (Hemigrammus erythrozonus) | It has a gray-green color, on both sides you can see red, orange stripes along the body that glow. Maximum length 4 cm. The iris of the eyes is of two colors: red on top and blue below. |
Royal (Nematobrukon palmeri) | Adults – 6 cm, the color is pinkish-brown with a blue tint (sometimes purple), a fairly wide black stripe is observed along the entire length, it has a unique tail with an elongated central ray. The iris of the eyes is blue. |
Amanda"s tetra (Hyphessobrycon amandae) | A very small species, no more than 2 cm, has a very rich reddish-orange (fiery) color. |
Copper (Hasemania nana) | Grows up to 5 cm in length, the body is almost silvery with a pronounced copper tint, a black line is visible at the beginning of the tail, and the ends of the unpaired fins are white. |
Flashlight (Hemigrammus ocellifer) | Silver color, the sides have a yellowish stripe. Dark spots are located at the beginning of the caudal fin, as well as immediately behind the gills. Characteristic is the rich red color of the iris of the fish (under certain lighting, it “flashes”). |
Diamond (Moenkhausia pittieri) | Quite stocky appearance, and the body of the fish is flattened, no more than 6 cm. Special scales can reflect the light falling on them, turning it into small “diamonds”. In the middle of the tail, a blue stripe begins, and the fins have an elongated appearance. |
Red-nosed (Hemigrammus bleheri) | The size of adult fish is no more than 5 cm, often silvery with a greenish tint. The fins are transparent, and the tail can have black and white stripes. A characteristic reddish spot on the head. |
Congo (Phenacogrammus interruptus) | Adult specimens grow up to 8 cm in length, and females – up to 6 cm, the back and blue belly are characteristic, on the sides of a reddish-orange hue. They have a tail of an unusual shape (with protruding central rays). |
Male and female differences within the species are not well expressed, despite notable external differences in body shape and fin structure, as well as a range of colors. Male tetras are the only ones with more vibrant colors and hues.
Basic requirements for maintenance and care
Tetra doesn’t need special maintenance, but an average school of ten fish should have an aquarium with at least 30 to 50 liters of water. It is preferable to release them quickly in a small flock because lone birds can become hostile, afraid, or unresponsive. The aquarium should have a lid on it because, well, k. they can jump.
Fundamental guidelines for maintenance:
- Maintain the parameters in the aquarium that are characteristic of habitat in natural conditions, the water must be settled and without chlorine.
- A rectangular container is desirable, because. k. in round tanks, the sound is reflected back from the walls, causing stress and negative effects.
- It is better to place the aquarium in a quiet corner, because the fish does not like noise and extreme activity around itself.
- It is necessary to carry out aeration, weekly replacement of twenty percent of the container.
- For the soil, it is better to use river sand, dark small pebbles (shells, stones can lead to an increase in the overall hardness of the water).
- In order for the necessary tannins to be released, it is better to place oak driftwood, alder leaves on the bottom.
- The fish likes not very bright, but slightly subdued lighting.
- With proper feeding, the tetra will not eat water decorations, so you can safely decorate it with the most expensive algae.
Tetras are mostly surface dwellers and have little interest in the lower layers. Nonetheless, it’s crucial to give them isolated spots with driftwood and algae so they can hide from harsh light or hostile neighbors. Such plantings work best when placed along the aquarium’s side or back walls.
The plants must be kept in a salt solution for five to ten minutes prior to planting: To reduce the possibility of adding different parasites to the tank, use one teaspoon per liter of water.
Tetras are among the most well-liked options for aquarium enthusiasts because of their eye-catching hues, calm disposition, and simplicity of maintenance. These little schooling fish are ideal for beginning and seasoned aquarists alike, as they do well in a range of water types. Because of their vibrant behavior and ability to coexist with a wide variety of species, they are a favorite for designing aquatic environments that are both aesthetically pleasing and well-balanced.
Basic feeding rules
This fish is not picky about its diet. It enjoys eating live food as well as frozen food, especially granulated food. However, a complete and varied diet is the only way to maintain the brilliance and coloring. Live food is an important part of the diet, but if not consumed in its entirety, it can contaminate water. These could be:
- daphnia;
- brine shrimp;
- bloodworm;
- cyclops;
- tubifex;
- fruit flies.
Additionally, they do well on dry granulated food (Wafer or Tetra mix). It is recommended to knead the granules in Discus with your hands.
Occasionally, you should feed them bread crumbs or crushed oatmeal, being careful not to overfeed them as this can cause obesity. They eat egg yolks, crushed spinach or broccoli, and they have a good appetite. They also won’t turn down any treats.
Food that stays on top for a long time and sinks to the bottom slowly should be prioritized when making your selection. This is because of the peculiarities of their upward-raising mouth apparatus.
It’s important to plan your feedings so that the food is consumed in its entirety in three to five minutes, as they won’t continue to eat from the bottom. It is sufficient to feed, in a varied and balanced manner, twice a day, in the morning and the evening.
Features of reproduction
Furthermore, tetras reproduce without any problems. Depending on the species, they reach sexual maturity between six and eleven months. The fish simply need to be fed heavily for a week in order to spawn; there is no specific time required. An increasingly active pair is kept apart in a 20–30 liter spawning tank with purer water and oxygen.
A drop in acidity and an increase in habitat temperature will indicate the beginning of spawning. The female brings hundreds of eggs at a time, and then she has to be taken out so the eggs don’t get eaten. After a few hours, unfertilized eggs turn whitish-cloudy and are removed. The eggs prefer darkness, so the tank is kept out of direct sunlight. The fry appear after four to six days.
They will feed on the contents of their sac during the early stages. Initially, they can benefit from infusoria and hard-boiled egg yolk. The fry require feedings every three hours during the first week, and then less frequently after that.
Fry are housed apart before they grow up. Plankton, live dust, or finely chopped food must be fed. They adore oxygen saturation, frequent filtration, and crystal-clear water with no aeration. The dead larvae and leftover food must be routinely removed. Fry become acclimated to the conditions of their habitat in just two weeks, much like adults do.
Toward the end of the first month, color starts to emerge. Their respective rates of survival are different.
Compatibility and nature of fish
Nearly all medium-sized tropical fish with similar sizes and temperaments are good companions for tetras. are regarded as being calm animals. On the other hand, loneliness and love in big groups shorten their lives. Get along with non-aggressive animals that can endure comparable circumstances.
In addition to taking food away and annoying tetras with their activities, predators can also pique their "gastronomic" curiosity.
Sexual differences
There are no overt indications of the tetra’s unique characteristics. Males tend to be larger in stature and have more pronounced coloring, though in adverse media, their coloring becomes more pale. There are some exclusions. As an illustration, consider the mirror mirror mirror mirror, which has different anal fin colors (the female is only on the tip, and the male has a silver-white edging). The larger abdomen of the female still makes her identifiable during spawning.
Tetra minor has a male that is likewise slimmer than a female, and it is colored brighter. The male has a white stripe on its anal fin, while the female only has a small point.
It makes sense that tetras are a popular choice among aquarium enthusiasts. They are a perfect complement to any community tank because of their vivid colors and serene disposition. Tetras offer a range of species that can suit your aquarium setup, regardless of your level of experience as an aquarist.
Providing a well-balanced diet and stable water conditions are crucial aspects of tetra care. Keep these little fish in schools to observe their best behavior and colors, as they do best in groups. Although they are resilient in general, maintaining a clean environment is essential to their well-being.
Tetras can add life and movement to your aquarium, resulting in a stunning and lively aquatic habitat. These adorable fish can add years of charm to your aquarium with the right maintenance.