Tetra

Tetra is a general name for tropical freshwater fish of the Characidae family.

They are popular because they are peaceful species that can live with many other types of aquarium features. Aquarium enthusiasts also love them because they are easy to maintain, particularly the ember tetra. They come in many bright colors, like yellow, cardinal, and bright greens and blues.

Five Tetra Facts

1. Tetras are among the world’s most popular aquarium fish.
2. Rummy-nose tetras love to shoal.
3. Tetras tend to act livelier when they are in bigger groups.
4. The ember tetra, discovered in 1987, was named after explorer Heiko Bleher’s mother.
5. Glow tetras, also called GloFish tetras, are genetically modified and can reach six inches long.

Classification and Scientific Name

All tetras are members of the Chcaraciformes order and the Characidae family. The scientific name of the neon tetra, probably the best known of these aquarium fish, is Paracheirodon innesi. Scientific names of some of the other tetras are yellow tetra, Hyphessobrycon bifasciatus; rummy-nose tetra, Hemigrammus rhodostomus; cardinal tetra, Paracheirodon axelrodi; ember tetra, Hyphessobrycon amandae; and glow tetra, Hemigrammus erythrozonus.

Origins

Tetra is a descriptive word used to refer to numerous species of small, freshwater characiform fish. These fish are native to Africa, Central America, and South America and belong to the Characidae family, as well as the two former subfamilies Alestidae (or African tetras) and Lebiasinidae. The Characidae family is characterized by a small adipose fin located between the dorsal and caudal fins. Tetra fish such as the neon tetra (Paracheirodon innesi) are popular amongst aquarium hobbyists due to their vivid colors and low-maintenance care requirements. The word “Tetra” is derived from the Greek term “Tetragonopterus” which means “square-finned”.

Many different types of fish are commonly referred to as tetras, even though they may not be related to each other. Tetras are native to South and Central America, Africa, and the Amazon Basin, except for the blind cave tetra that was found in Mexico. Each species of tetra has its own unique range and distribution, but some species may inhabit the same areas. They usually live in regions rich with vegetation and shaded areas.

Species

More than 150 species of fish considered tetras live worldwide. Although there are many different species, less than 20 are commonly found in aquariums worldwide. Most pet stores sell neon tetras at a low price as they are plentiful. Other popular tetra species among hobbyist fishkeepers include black, cardinal, rainbow, blue, flame, rummy-nose, emperor, and bloodfin tetras. The most popular tetras also have a low price in pet stores, making them affordable.

Appearance

Tetras are small fish, generally ranging in length from one to four inches. The one exception is the genetically engineered glow tetra, which can grow up to six inches in size. Tetras have a small adipose fin between their dorsal and caudal fins, distinguishing them from other fish. You’ll find a few differences between male and female tetras. Males are usually thinner, while females are more rounded and tend to be larger. Colors are varied, ranging from silver and yellow to deep black.

Distribution, Population, and Habitat

Tetras are found around the world, although they are concentrated in the previously mentioned areas. They are primarily found in the freshwater rivers and lakes of the Amazon Basin. Most species generally have stable populations, although some have shown declines, while the numbers of the rest remain unknown.

According to the IUCN Redlist of endangered species, the tetra is considered least concern.

Predators and Prey

As tetras are small fish, many different predators hunt them. Larger fish, eels, crustaceans, and some invertebrates all feed on tetra. Because of their colorful bodies, predators can easily see tetras. When tetras feel they are in danger, they’ll often try to find somewhere to hide or swim to darker waters where they won’t be as visible.

In the wild and the aquarium, tetras eat almost anything because they are omnivores. The diets of wild and captive tetras are similar, with the exception that captive tetras eat manufactured food like flakes, pellets, frozen brine shrimp, etc. In the wild, they have access to a wide variety of foods. Among the favorite prey are common water fleas called daphnia, mosquito larvae, brine shrimp, bloodworms, and small fish eggs. In aquariums, tetras eat twice daily, consuming as much food as possible in about two minutes.

Reproduction and Lifespan

The lifespan of tetras is between eight to 10 years in the wild but considerably shorter in captivity. For example, neon tetras only live an average of five years. Tetras don’t live as long in captivity because of stress and boredom. Loneliness is also a factor as these fish do best when living in a school of other tetras.
Although most tetras are easy to care for, breeding them in captivity can sometimes be difficult because it’s hard to distinguish males from females. Even though they do not form monogamous pairs, tetras will not necessarily spawn with any other tetra they see and may reject their potential mate. The male tries to attract the female by dancing around her. If she likes him, she will take him to the spawning site. The number of eggs laid can range from 50 to 1,000, depending on the species. Tetras grow slowly. After hatching, it can take neon tetras two months to reach one-quarter inch in length. However, emperor tetras grow quickly as juveniles only take six months to become adults. Eggs take at least 48 hours to hatch.

Fishing and Cooking

Generally, fishing for tetras only occurs to bring these fish into captivity to help populate home aquariums. Like most other aquarium fish, tetras are edible, but you probably wouldn’t want to do so. First off, their small size doesn’t produce much protein, but more importantly, you can run into digestive problems when consuming aquarium fish not explicitly raised for food.

Tetra Population

The exact number of tetras in the world is unknown, primarily because many of these fish live in remote regions and dark waters.

99 Types of Tetra Fish

1. Adonis Tetra – Lepidarchus adonis
2. African Moon Tetra – Bathyaethiops caudomaculatus
3. African Red-Eyed Tetra – Arnoldichthys spilopterus
4. Arowana Tetra – Gnathocharax steindachneri
5. Black Chin Tetra – Piabucus melanostoma
6. Black Darter Tetra – Poecilocharax weitzmani
7. Black Emperor Tetra – Nemotobrycon palmeri
8. Black Line Tetra – Hyphessobrycon scholzei
9. Black Neon Tetra – Hyphessobrycon herbertaxelrodi
10. Black Phantom Tetra – Hyphessobrycon megalopterus
11. Black Widow Tetra – Gymnocorymbus ternetzi
12. Blackline Tail Tetra – Moenkhausia costae
13. Bleeding Blue Tetra – Hyphessobrycon margitae
14. Bleeding Heart Tetra – Hyphessobrycon erythrostingma
15. Bloodfin Tetra – Aphyocharax anisitsi
16. Blue Eyed Congo Tetra – henacogrammus aurantiacus
17. Blue Purple Emperor Tetra – Inpaichthys kerri
18. Blue Spot African Tetra – Brycinus poptae
19. Blueberry Tetra – Hyphessobrycon wadai
20. Brittanichthys Axelrodi Tetra – Brittanichthys Axelrodi
21. Broken Line Tetra – Hemigrammus ulreyi
22. Bucktooth Tetra – Exodon paradoxus
23. Buenos Aires Tetra – Hyphessobrycon anisitsi
24. Cardinal Tetra – Paracheirodon axelrodi
25. Cochus Blue Tetra – Boehlkea fredcochui
26. Coffee Bean Tetra – Hyphessobrycon takasei
27. Columbian Redfin Tetra – Hyphessobrycon columbianus
28. Congo Tetra – Phenacogrammus interruptus
29. Copei Tetra – Moenkhausia copei
30. Costello Tetra – Hemigrammus hyanuary
31. Dawn Tetra – Aphyocharax paraguayensis
32. Diamond Tetra – Moenkhausia pittieri
33. Domino Tetra – Neolebias powelli
34. Eilyos Tetra – Hyphessobrycon eilyos
35. Ember Tetra – Hyphessobrycon amandae
36. Emperor Tetra – Mematobrycon palmeri
37. Exclamation Mark Tetra – Bryconella pallidifrons
38. Fire Ant Tetra – Hyphessobrycon myrmex
39. Fire Green Tetra – Aphyocharax rahbuni
40. Flag Tetra – Hyphessobrycon heterorhabdus
41. Flame Tetra – Hyphessobrycon flammeus
42. Flameback Bleedig Heart Tetra – Hyphessobrycon pyrrhonotus
43. Frankei Terta – Hyphessobrycon frankei
44. Glass Bloodfin Tetra – Prionobrana filigera
45. Glowlight Tetra – Hemigramus erythrozonus
46. Gold Shoulder Rosy Tetra – Hyphessobrycon paepkei
47. Golden Mascara Tetra – Cyphocharax multilineautus
48. Golden Tetra – Hyphessobrycon moniliger
49. Green Neon Tetra – Paracheirodon simulans
50. Head and Taillight Tetra – Hemigrammus ocelifer
51. Hummingbird Tetra – Trochilocharax ornatus
52. Imperial Tetra – Hyphessobrycon nigricinctus
53. Infernal Tetra – Hemigrammus/Hyphessobrycon Infernalis
54. Jellybean Tetra – Ladigesia rolofii
55. Kitty Tetra – Hyphessobrycon loweae
56. Kogal Blue Eyed Tetra – Moenkhausia sp.
57. Lemon Tetra – Hyphessobrycon pulchripinnis
58. Lipstick Tetra – Moenkhausia cosmops
59. Long Finned Tetra – Brycinus longipinnis
60. Loreto Tetra – Hyphessobrycon loretoensis
61. Mexican Tetra – Astyanax mexicanus
62. Montags Tetra – Hyphessobrycon montagi
63. More Code Tetra – Hemigrammus sp ‘morese code’
64. Mountain Crystal Tetra – Proteocheirodon pi, leptagoniates pi
65. Nego Dagua Tetra – Hyphessobrycon negodagua
66. Neon Tetra – Paracheirodon innesi
67. Ornate Tetra – Hyphessobrycon bentosi
68. Penguin Tetra – Thayeria boehlkei
69. Phoenix Tetra – Hemigrammus filamentosus
70. Pink Lemon Tetra – Hyphessobrycon itaparicensis
71. Pretty Tetra – Hemigrammus ulcher
72. Racoon Tetra – Hyphessobrycon procyon
73. Rainbow Copella Tetra – Copella vilmae
74. Rainbow Tetra – Nematobrycon lacortei
75. Red Base Tetra – Hemigrammus stictus
76. Red Devil Tetra – Hyphessobrycon piranga
77. Red Eye Tetra – Moenkhausia sanctaefilomenae
78. Red Laser Tetra – Hemigrammus coeruleus
79. Red Line Lizard Tetra – Iguanodectes geisleri
80. Red Line Tetra – Hyphessobrycon amapaensis
81. Red Phantom Tetra – Hyphessobrycon sweglesi
82. Red Tail Hemiodus Tetra – Hemiodus gracilis
83. Redfin Congo Tetra – Micralestes occidentalis
84. Redfin Penguin Tetra – Thayeria sp.
85. Reed Tetra – Hyphessobrycon elachys
86. Rosy Tetra – Hyphessobrycon rosaceus
87. Ruby Tetra – Axelrodia riesei
88. Rummy Nose Tetra – Hemigrammus rhodostomus
89. Sailfin Tetra – Crenuchus spilurus
90. Serpae Tetra – Hyphessobrycon eques
91. Silvertip Tetra – Hasemania nana
92. Six Stripes Tetra – Hexastichos
93. Splash Tetra – Copella arnoldi
94. Steel Blue Tetra – Hyphessobrycon weitzmanorum
95. Toucan Tetra – Tucanoichthys tucano
96. White Skirt Tetra – Gymnocorymbus ternetzi
97. X-Ray Tetra – Pristella maxillaris
98. Xingu Black eon Tetra – Moenkhausia heikoi
99. Yellow Tailed Congo Tetra – Alestopetersius caudalis