50+ Amazing and Popular List Of Types Of Tetra Fishes 2023

Seeking different types of tetra fishes? In this article, we did complete research to fill your list.

We came across many tetra fishes you will love to read about them and would surely look forward to filling them in your aquarium. Tetras are the most popular aquarium fish of the Characidae family. Choosing the right tetra fish for your aquarium can be hard. With such a great variety of species, it is easy to get confused. Tetra species inhabit a range of habitats, They are spread from South America to East Africa, and their basic source is wetlands, lakes, ponds, and rivers.

They are mostly quite small, peaceful, and colorful. Maybe you are looking after a large or a small tank, But, tetras suit in every kind. Come on, let’s jump to our list.

Different Types Of Tetra Fishes

types of tetra fishes

Tetra fishes come in different ranges, sizes, and colors. Some of them are very small, some are large in size. Well, the list we gonna look at is quite big.

Nowadays in the fishkeeping hobby, the popularity of tetras has grown rapidly. Many unrelated fish are commonly known as tetras which are quite confusing, including species from different families. Even vastly many different fish may be called tetras. So, we decided not to flood all types of tetras. We just did focus on the main tetra species.

Below is a complete list of different types of tetra fishes:

  • Black Morpho Tetra
  • Arnoldichthys spilopterus
  • Head-and-taillight Tetra
  • Pretty Tetra

Cardinal Tetra

Cardinal Tetra
Types Of Tetra Fishes – Cardinal Tetra

Cardinal tetra is a freshwater fish. Belonging to the Characidae family. They are mainly found across Orinoco and Negro Rivers in South America. They are about 3 cm in total length.
Cardinal tetra has striking blue and vivid red color lines below the body. Thus, it is called “Cardinal tetra”.

Cardinal tetra is a very popular aquarium fish. The one who loves to keep an aquarium at home will definitely go for this fish. The Neon tetra and Cardinal tetra are more likely the same in looking. A combination of both in a single aquarium attracts everyone.

CategoryRating
Care Level:Easy
Temperament:Peaceful
Color Form:Blue and Red
Lifespan:Up to 5 years
Size:Up to 2″
Diet:Omnivore
Family:Characidae
Minimum Tank Size:20 Gallons
Tank Set-Up:Tropical freshwater with open swimming space
Compatible:Peaceful community
Scientific Name:Paracheirodon axelrodi
Higher classification:Paracheirodon
Phylum:Chordata
Order:Characiformes
Rank: Species

Are cardinal tetras aggressive?

No, they are not aggressive. In fact, they are easily bullied by other aggressive fish as they are unable to defend themselves.

Like most of the tetras, they are peaceful and make a great addition to a community.

They are a type of fish that can only be kept in an aquarium.

Which is better neon or cardinal tetra?

As tetra fish, both are good in nature. Their color combination is a bit the same.

Both can be kept in a single aquarium tank.

Talking about the better comparing both. This is not possible as they both are good at looking and give your aquarium a complete form of the ocean.

How long do cardinal tetras live?

When kept in a freshwater aquarium tank. Cardinal tetra can live around five years.

Just make sure the condition is right and give them a proper diet/food.

How many cardinal tetras should be kept together?

Make sure that cardinal tetra fish is not alone. They always need to be in a group.

Around six tetra fish will be good in your aquarium. And should be housed with equal peaceful tankmates.

Neon tetras and Cardinal tetras are good friends. A combination of both in an aquarium will be great.

Are cardinal tetras hard to keep?

No, they are referred to as the peaceful tetra fish. Anyone can make keep them in an aquarium and can take care.

These are the types of tetra fishes that can be kept by one whose fishkeeping is a hobby.

They are colorful fish that attracts everyone. And everyone wishes to have them in their aquarium. 

Just make sure you take care of them, their diet, and their place. 

Are cardinal tetras fin nippers?

No, Cardinal tetras are not finning nippers. But yes, Neon tetras are types of tetra fishes that are fin nippers when they grow as adults.

Black Tetra

black tetra
Types Of Tetra Fishes – Black Tetra

Black tetra is a freshwater fish.

Belonging to the Characidae family. They are also known as black skirt tetra, petticoat tetra, high-fin black skirt tetra, black widow tetra, and blackamoor.

They are mainly found across the Paraguay River basin of south-central Brazil.

They are about  7.5 cm in total length.

Black tetra has a tetragonal body shape.

Greyish in color, fading from near black at the tail to light at the nose.

The black tetra is a common fish that is widely available for purchase and is popular for freshwater fish.

The one who loves to keep an aquarium at home will definitely go for this fish. 

The black tetra is also used to make genetically modified fish and is sold as GloFish.

CategoryRating
Care Level:Easy
Temperament:Peaceful
Color Form:Greyish and Fading Black
Lifespan:About 6 to 7 years
Size:Up to 7.5 cm
Diet:Omnivores
Family:Characidae
Minimum Tank Size:10 Gallons
Tank Set-Up:Tropical freshwater with open swimming space
Compatible:Peaceful community
Scientific Name:Gymnocorymbus ternetzi
Higher classification:Gymnocorymbus
Phylum:Chordata
Order:Characiformes
Rank: Species

What fish can live with black tetras?

Black tetras are shoaling fish. Keeping a group of black tetras in your aquarium is a great idea.

Just remember not to keep any aggressive fish with black tetras.

Here is a list of fish you can keep with Black tetras:

How long do black tetras live?

Averagely, a Black Tetra life is between 3 and 5 years in captivity.

If taken care of perfectly in an aquarium and feed them regularly with a proper diet.

We can extend their life up to 6 to 7 years.

Does black tetra get pregnant?

No, Black tetra never gets pregnant.

Instead, these fish lay eggs.

So technically these fish are never actually pregnant.

Only life-giving fish can be pregnant and give birth to babies. while egg layers cannot.

Well, when a female black tetra is getting ready to lay eggs.

She becomes much fatter and bulkier.

What do black tetras eat?

If you want your black tetras to grow healthy and live long.

Do feed them some small foods such as brine shrimp or daphnia, freeze-dried bloodworms and tubifex, micro pellet food, and high-quality flake food.

How can you tell if a black widow tetra is male or female?

Female black tetra is generally larger than males and has a rounder body.

In female black tetra, the anal fin runs parallel with the vertical black stripe on the abdomen.

Males occasionally have white spots on the caudal fin.

They are smaller, have a broader anal fin, and a narrower, more pointed dorsal fin.

Do black skirt tetras eat other fish?

When it comes to living. Black tetra are peaceful fishes.

They do not prefer to eat pond mates. But only seek small insects and other small creatures.

They tend to become eaters of other fish when there are other aggressive fish bullying them.

They highly prefer to eat long-finned fish and it only depends on their actions.

Serpae Tetra

serpae tetra
Types Of Tetra Fishes – Serpae Tetra

Serpae tetra is a tropical freshwater fish.

Belonging to the Characidae family. The serpae tetra is also known as jewel tetra or Callistus tetra.

They are mainly found in the Amazon River drainage in Brazil, Peru, Paraguay, Bolivia, and northern Argentina.

This fish can be found in slow-moving water, ponds, small lakes, and streams.

They are about 5 cm (2 in) in length.

Serpae tetra has very distinctive coloring with a red body and a black spot near the eye.

They generally do better and show the best colors in soft, neutral to slightly acidic water.

They are omnivores and They need to feed flakes and bloodworms.

CategoryRating
Care Level:Easy
Temperament:Peaceful
Color Form:Red Body with Black Spots
Lifespan:About 5 to 7 years
Size:Up to 5 cm (2 inches)
Diet:Omnivores
Family:Characidae
Minimum Tank Size:20 Gallons
Tank Set-Up:Tropical freshwater with open swimming space
Compatible:Peaceful community
Scientific Name:Hyphessobrycon eques
Higher classification:Hyphessobrycon
Phylum:Chordata
Order:Characiformes
Rank: Species
Kingdom:Animalia

Are Serpae Tetras aggressive?

Yes, they are mildly aggressive when among slow-moving species.

But, Serpae tetra is quite popular for its flame color.

They move in a group manner which makes the aquarium look more attractive.

They are also popular in a peaceful community aquarium because of their beauty and ease of care.

How big do Serpae Tetras get?

They are about 5 cm (2 in) in total length.

Will Serpae Tetra eat shrimp?

Yes, hence they are a bit aggressive. They do eat shrimps.

They can also eat other small fish and small insects.

Will Serpae Tetra school with other tetras?

Yes, Serpae tetra do school with other tetras.

The best thing about Serpae tetras is that they can live peacefully with other types of tetra fishes.

For example, Serpae Tetra gets along with the Cardinal tetra.

Both of them are about the same in size.

And hence the Cardinal tetras move quite fast they are easy to get to a school with Serpae tetras.

They also have pretty much the same when it comes to their diet requirements.

How many tetras should be kept together?

You should keep at least 15-20 tetras together.

An aquarium of 20 gallons will be best for this number of Tetras to keep together.

And as in general we know that the larger the school the more comfortable Tetras will be.

Congo Tetra

congo tetra
Types Of Tetra Fishes – Congo Tetra

Congo tetra is a type of tetra fish belonging to the African tetra family.

It’s a tropical freshwater fish. Mainly found in the central Congo River Basin in Africa.

And they are commonly kept in aquaria.

They are shiny types of tetra when born.

When mature, Congo tetra turns into iridescent colors.

Starting with blue on top and changing to red through the middle, to yellow-gold.

Their back colors blue just above the belly.

It is not its fluorescent colors that make Congo tetra so different from other tetras, but because they have a tail fin.

Which develops into a beautiful grayish-violet feathery with white edges that fascinates every fish lover.

Male Congo tetra is up to 3.0 inches (8.5 cm) in length.

Female Congo tetra is up to 2.75 inches (6 cm) in total length.

Congo tetras are most comfortable in an aquarium with lower light levels.

CategoryRating
Care Level:Moderate
Temperament:Peaceful (Afraid of aggressive fish)
Color Form:Blue on top, Red in the middle,  Yellow-gold, Blue above belly
Lifespan:Between 3 to 5 years
Size:Male Up to 8.5 cm (3 inches), Female Up to 6 cm (2.75 inches)
Diet:Omnivores
Family:Alestidae
Minimum Tank Size:40 Gallons
Tank Set-Up:Tropical freshwater with open swimming space
Compatible:Peaceful community
Scientific Name:Phenacogrammus interruptus
Higher classification:Phenacogrammus
Phylum:Chordata
Order:Characiformes
Rank: Species

Are Congo tetras aggressive?

No, Congo tetras are not very aggressive.

Congo tetras are schooling fish and are very peaceful in nature.

They only get aggressive when they are not part of a group of at least six more tetra fishes.

If they are kept with other fish of the same size or smaller, Congo tetras feel happy and peaceful.

Just remember to avoid keeping them away from aggressive species, as Congo tetras are afraid of them.

What fish can live with Congo tetras?

The Fishes that can live along with Congo Tetras in your aquarium are:

  1. Other Tetras
  2. Corydoras
  3. Guppies
  4. Rasboras
  5. Mollies
  6. Platies
  7. Dwarf Cichlids
  8. Barbs

How long do Congo tetras live?

The Lifespan of Congo Tetra is between 3 and 5 years in captivity.

Some fish-keepers have also said that congo tetra can also live a bit longer than that, but it’s rare.

As always, the best way to help Congo tetras live as long as possible is to provide them with a good diet and a healthy environment.

Do Congo tetras nip fins?

No, they don’t nip other fish.

But when they live in groups they themselves are very boisterous.

They chase each other. They play all the time.

In fact, sometimes they do battle/tearing with each other’s fins.

Will Congo tetras eat guppies?

No, Congo tetra doesn’t eat Guppies.

Guppies are the most popular aquarium fish, they’re so easy to take care of.

In fact, they are great choices for beginners. They have a very peaceful temperament.

Both of them hate aggressive fishes.

So Congo Tetras and Guppies are the best mates you can keep in your aquarium.

Will Congo tetras eat neon tetras?

No, Congo tetras don’t eat Neon tetras.

Congo Tetras are school fish and can be kept with every other peaceful fish together in the aquarium.

Other tetras you can include with Congo tetras are: Cardinal Tetras, Diamond Tetras, Neon Tetras, and Glow light Tetras

You don’t have to just stick with Congo Tetras.

How fast do Congo tetras grow?

Congo tetras grow within 2 weeks.

They just don’t grow but they start to eat dry food as well in just 2 weeks.

And they also soon reach their total length.

Within three months of regular feedings, they will reach two inches and show signs of color on their body.

X-ray Tetra

xray tetra
Types Of Tetra Fishes – X-ray Tetra

X-ray Tetra is a widely distributed and adaptable fish.

Belonging to the Ambassidae family. Commonly known as X-ray fish and X-ray Tetra for its translucent body.

Mostly found in the Amazon and Orinoco basins. And are adaptable in coastal rivers in the Guianas in both acidic and alkaline waters.

The length of this fish is small i.e up to around 5 cm or (2 inches).

When it comes to living they live in large groups.

The females of this species are much bigger and thinner rather than males.

They are greyish in color and some are unremarkable.

The fins of these fish make them different from other tetras.

The tail is off red. The dorsal and anal fins Of X-ray tetra are three-color patterns: bright yellow, black, and white.

CategoryRating
Care Level:Moderate
Temperament:Peaceful
Color Form:Greyish and Translucent, Tail off Red, Yellow, Black, and White.
Lifespan:Between 4 to 5 years
Size:Up to 5 cm (2 inches)
Diet:Omnivores
Family:Ambassidae
Minimum Tank Size:30 Gallons
Tank Set-Up:Tropical freshwater with open swimming space
Compatible:Peaceful community
Scientific Name:Pristella maxillaris
Higher classification:Pristella
Phylum:Chordata
Order:Characiformes
Rank: Species
Kingdom:Animalia

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