Tetra Fish Species
Updated September 23, 2018
Author: Mike - FishLore Admin
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There are over 700 known species of tetras. The tetras range from the super small (glowlight tetra) to the super large. (pacu). The smaller tetras are the mainstays of the fishkeeping hobby and still enjoy great popularity with hobbyists.
Many have similar care requirements, like to be in schools (groups of 5 or more) and should provide great visual displays in your tank. They especially like planted tanks but some species can make short work of your plants. If you have a planted tank you'll want to avoid Silver Dollars for example.
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Tetras
Hyphessobrycon herbertaxelrodi
Black Neon Tetra
A nice little tetra that can be quite hardy and looks really good in a planted tank or aquariums with darker substrates.
Black Neon Tetra
A nice little tetra that can be quite hardy and looks really good in a planted tank or aquariums with darker substrates.
Hyphessobrycon megalopterus
Black Phantom Tetra
A medium sized tetra that does well with similarly sized fish species.
Black Phantom Tetra
A medium sized tetra that does well with similarly sized fish species.
Gymnocorymbus ternetzi
Black Skirt Tetra
A tetra with larger fins so use caution if you plan on stocking them with known nippers.
Black Skirt Tetra
A tetra with larger fins so use caution if you plan on stocking them with known nippers.
Hyphessobrycon erythrostigma
Bleeding Heart Tetra
Has the signature small red spot (don't think it looks like a heart though) on its sides.
Bleeding Heart Tetra
Has the signature small red spot (don't think it looks like a heart though) on its sides.
Astyanax jordani
Blind Cave Tetra
The Blind Cave tetras live in deep caves in the wild. They range from Texas to Mexico, with the sighted version from Mexico to Panama. There is no need for eye sight in the pitch black caves, so they have evolved to adapt to these conditions.
Blind Cave Tetra
The Blind Cave tetras live in deep caves in the wild. They range from Texas to Mexico, with the sighted version from Mexico to Panama. There is no need for eye sight in the pitch black caves, so they have evolved to adapt to these conditions.
Aphyocharax anisitsi
Bloodfin Tetra
A slim lined tetra with red fins, a fast swimmer that does well in planted tanks.
Bloodfin Tetra
A slim lined tetra with red fins, a fast swimmer that does well in planted tanks.
Exodon paradoxus
Bucktooth Tetra
Finding tank mates may pose problems because this tetra is a fish scale eater.
Bucktooth Tetra
Finding tank mates may pose problems because this tetra is a fish scale eater.
Hyphessobrycon anisitsi
Buenos Aires Tetra
One of the larger tetras, they can also be somewhat territorial with other fish.
Buenos Aires Tetra
One of the larger tetras, they can also be somewhat territorial with other fish.
Paracheirodon axelrodi
Cardinal Tetra
The cardinal tetras are very similar to the neon tetra, but the cardinal tetra has more red on its body. This tetra looks fantastic in large schools.
Cardinal Tetra
The cardinal tetras are very similar to the neon tetra, but the cardinal tetra has more red on its body. This tetra looks fantastic in large schools.
Boehlkea fredcochui
Cochu's Blue Tetra
One of the less commonly available tetras that gets to be about 1.6 inches as adults.
Cochu's Blue Tetra
One of the less commonly available tetras that gets to be about 1.6 inches as adults.
Phenacongrammus interrutpus
Congo Tetra
As the name indicates the Congo tetra originates from the River Congo as well as Central African rivers. They are extremely beautiful African characins, growing slightly larger than most of its kind.
Congo Tetra
As the name indicates the Congo tetra originates from the River Congo as well as Central African rivers. They are extremely beautiful African characins, growing slightly larger than most of its kind.
Moenkhausia pittieri
Diamond Tetra
It's scales sparkle like diamonds under the right lighting. Gets to be about 2.3 inches (6 cm) as adults.
Diamond Tetra
It's scales sparkle like diamonds under the right lighting. Gets to be about 2.3 inches (6 cm) as adults.
Myleus schomburgkii
Disk Tetra
One of the larger tetras reaching up to 16 inches (42 cm) in size as adults.
Disk Tetra
One of the larger tetras reaching up to 16 inches (42 cm) in size as adults.
Nannostomus marginatus
Dwarf Pencilfish
They are fairly timid, and should not be kept with overly boisterous tank mates or fish much bigger than them so they don’t get outcompeted for food.
Dwarf Pencilfish
They are fairly timid, and should not be kept with overly boisterous tank mates or fish much bigger than them so they don’t get outcompeted for food.
Hyphessobrycon amandae
Ember Tetra
Only gets to about an inch in size so it's one of the smaller tetras.
Ember Tetra
Only gets to about an inch in size so it's one of the smaller tetras.
Hemigrammus erythrozonus
Glowlight Tetra
Has an orange or red strip running horizontally along its sides. Has a good reputation amongst hobbyists as being quite hardy.
Glowlight Tetra
Has an orange or red strip running horizontally along its sides. Has a good reputation amongst hobbyists as being quite hardy.
Hemigrammus rodwayi
Gold Tetra
Gold Tetras are slightly delicate, so should be added to an established tank with stable water parameters.
Gold Tetra
Gold Tetras are slightly delicate, so should be added to an established tank with stable water parameters.
Nannostomus beckfordi
Golden Pencilfish
This small characin is a colorful addition to the community aquarium, and shows of it’s colors best in a slightly acidic planted aquarium.
Golden Pencilfish
This small characin is a colorful addition to the community aquarium, and shows of it’s colors best in a slightly acidic planted aquarium.
Hemigrammus ocellifer
Head and Tail Light Tetra
A peaceful little tetra that also does well in schools like most tetras.
Head and Tail Light Tetra
A peaceful little tetra that also does well in schools like most tetras.
Hyphessobrycon pulchripinnis
Lemon Tetra
A tetra, like others that needs to be kept in schools of 6 or more. A 10 gallon tank but preferably larger is needed.
Lemon Tetra
A tetra, like others that needs to be kept in schools of 6 or more. A 10 gallon tank but preferably larger is needed.
Paracheirodon innesi
Neon Tetra
Has to be one of the most popular of the tetras. This freshwater fish is a very pretty blue and red and appears iridescent. Take your time when acclimating this fish to your tank.
Neon Tetra
Has to be one of the most popular of the tetras. This freshwater fish is a very pretty blue and red and appears iridescent. Take your time when acclimating this fish to your tank.
Thayeria boehlkei
Penguin Tetra
Has a lot of common names including the Blackline Tetra, the Penguinfish and the Hockey Stick Tetra.
Penguin Tetra
Has a lot of common names including the Blackline Tetra, the Penguinfish and the Hockey Stick Tetra.
Pygocentrus nattereri
Piranha
Check with your local laws before getting a Piranha. Some municipalities have banned the sale of the Piranha.
Piranha
Check with your local laws before getting a Piranha. Some municipalities have banned the sale of the Piranha.
Pristella maxillaris
Pristella Tetra
Can be considered a good tetra for the freshwater fish beginner due to its hardy and peaceful nature.
Pristella Tetra
Can be considered a good tetra for the freshwater fish beginner due to its hardy and peaceful nature.
Piaractus brachypomum
Red Belly Pacu
The Pacu gets way too big for most home aquariums and is then sometimes released into local waterways. Ugh. Do not release fish into your local water ways!
Red Belly Pacu
The Pacu gets way too big for most home aquariums and is then sometimes released into local waterways. Ugh. Do not release fish into your local water ways!
Hyphessobrycon colombianus
Red Colombian Tetra
Another medium sized tetra that can get aggressive with other species
Red Colombian Tetra
Another medium sized tetra that can get aggressive with other species
Moenkhausia sanctaefilomenae
Red Eye Tetra
Another tetra that has been known to nip a fin or two or three. Use caution when selecting tank mates.
Red Eye Tetra
Another tetra that has been known to nip a fin or two or three. Use caution when selecting tank mates.
Hemigrammus bleheri
Rummy Nose Tetra
These tetras have red heads that can change colors depending on environmental stressors.
Rummy Nose Tetra
These tetras have red heads that can change colors depending on environmental stressors.
Hyphessobrycon callistus
Serpae Tetra
Can get a little nippy with other species, keep in small schools to limit the nipping.
Serpae Tetra
Can get a little nippy with other species, keep in small schools to limit the nipping.
Metynnis hypsauchen
Silver Dollar
An old standby in the hobby, the Silver Dollars are known plant destroyers. They can also be a little skittish in community tanks.
Silver Dollar
An old standby in the hobby, the Silver Dollars are known plant destroyers. They can also be a little skittish in community tanks.
Hasemania nana
Silver Tip Tetra
They generally prefer a planted aquarium, and should be kept in groups of at least 5-6.
Silver Tip Tetra
They generally prefer a planted aquarium, and should be kept in groups of at least 5-6.
Gymnocorymbus ternetzi
White Skirt Tetra
An albino form of the black skirt tetra with long flowing fins.
White Skirt Tetra
An albino form of the black skirt tetra with long flowing fins.
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