Tetras are small fish from the family Characidae.They are characterized by being small and often brightly colored. All tetra varieties have a small fin on their back. It is found between the tail and top fin.
As native fish to South America and Africa they enjoy a tropical aquarium temperature of 24 to 28 degrees Celsius. Soft water is typically the best hardness for most species. Water pH for tetras is best when acidic.
Keeping Tetras
Tetras like to swim in schools and should always be kept in groups. Lone fish can become stressed without the company of their own or similar species.
The tetra is often kept as part of a community aquarium. Care must be taken to only keep this fish with species that will not attack and eat it. Always keep your tetras with fish of it's own size or that are known to be safe. Examples of suitable tank mates are bristlenose catfish, other tetras and mountain minnows.
Sometimes tetras can nip at other fishes fins. Most tetras will not behave this way but their are exceptions.Three varieties known to behave this way are the red minor (hyphessobrycon callistus), buenos aires tetra (hemigrammus caudoyittatus) and the black tetra (gymnocorymbus ternetzi. Use caution when keeping them with fancy guppies, angelfish and other long finned fish.
Breeding Tetras
These fish typically just scatter their eggs around the fish tank. Numerous eggs are laid but if not protected they are likely to be eaten by other fish or the tetras themselves. The parents can be removed to another tank after laying but a safer method is to place layers of glass marbles at the bottom. Eggs will be able to fall through the crack but peckish fish will not.
Tetra Fish For Sale
To buy tetras is usually quite reasonable since most species are easy to breed and grow fast. Selecting which species suits you best will mainly come down to your own visual preferences as most are very similar in behavior and care.
You can find more information about tetra fish here: AquariumFish City