Freshwater fish wiki
Tetra Care Guides
Tetras are among the most popular freshwater schooling fish in the hobby, prized for their colour and activity. Species differ in size, temperament and water preferences, so compare the individual guides before choosing your school.
Species directory
Fish care guides
Choose a species below for care requirements, tank setup, feeding, compatible tankmates and breeding information.
Beginner care
Neon Tetra
Paracheirodon innesi
The classic aquarium tetra with a luminous blue-green stripe and red rear body, best kept in an active school in a planted or blackwater-style aquarium.
- Adult size
- 3–4 cm / 1.2–1.6 in
- Minimum tank
- 60 L / 15 gal
Beginner care
Cardinal Tetra
Paracheirodon axelrodi
A stunning schooling tetra with red-and-blue neon coloration running the full length of the body, ideal for soft, acidic planted aquariums.
- Adult size
- 4–5 cm / 1.6–2 in
- Minimum tank
- 75 L / 20 gal
Beginner care
Green Neon Tetra
Paracheirodon simulans
A close relative of the neon tetra with a bright green-blue stripe, suited to calm, well-established planted aquariums.
- Adult size
- 2.5–3 cm / 1–1.2 in
- Minimum tank
- 40 L / 10 gal
Beginner care
Black Neon Tetra
Hyphessobrycon herbertaxelrodi
A peaceful, hardy Brazilian schooling tetra with a glowing silver-and-black horizontal stripe, excellent for planted community aquariums.
- Adult size
- 3.5–4 cm / 1.4–1.6 in
- Minimum tank
- 38 L / 10 gal
Beginner care
Bleeding Heart Tetra
Hyphessobrycon erythrostigma
A striking South American schooling tetra with a vivid red heart-shaped mark on its silver body and a calm community temperament.
- Adult size
- 5–6 cm / 2–2.4 in
- Minimum tank
- 38 L / 10 gal
Beginner care
Lemon Tetra
Hyphessobrycon pulchripinnis
A golden-yellow schooling tetra with striking black-and-yellow fin markings that intensify in a well-maintained planted aquarium.
- Adult size
- 4–5 cm / 1.6–2 in
- Minimum tank
- 75 L / 20 gal
Beginner care
Rummy-Nose Tetra
Hyphessobrycon rhodostomus
Famous for its bright red head and black-and-white striped tail, and a sensitive, reliable indicator of water quality in a community aquarium.
- Adult size
- 4–5 cm / 1.6–2 in
- Minimum tank
- 75 L / 20 gal
Beginner care
Ember Tetra
Hyphessobrycon amandae
A tiny, bright-orange nano tetra perfect for heavily planted aquariums, where a large school glows like embers among the plants.
- Adult size
- 2–2.5 cm / 0.8–1 in
- Minimum tank
- 38 L / 10 gal
Beginner care
Serpae Tetra
Hyphessobrycon eques
A bold, hardy red schooling tetra with a black shoulder mark — active and colourful, but best with robust tankmates.
- Adult size
- 3–4 cm / 1.2–1.6 in
- Minimum tank
- 60 L / 15 gal
Beginner care
Glowlight Tetra
Hemigrammus erythrozonus
A peaceful schooling tetra with a glowing orange-red stripe along its translucent body, ideal for planted community aquariums.
- Adult size
- 4–5 cm / 1.6–2 in
- Minimum tank
- 60 L / 15 gal
Beginner care
Black Skirt Tetra
Gymnocorymbus ternetzi
The classic dark-bodied community tetra with flowing fins and a bold black-and-silver appearance, peaceful and easy to keep.
- Adult size
- 5–6 cm / 2–2.4 in
- Minimum tank
- 38 L / 10 gal
Beginner care
Red-Eye Tetra
Moenkhausia sanctaefilomenae
A hardy silver tetra with a distinctive red eye and black-edged tail, ideal for larger peaceful community aquariums.
- Adult size
- 3–4 cm / 1.2–1.6 in
- Minimum tank
- 60 L / 15 gal
Beginner care
Diamond Tetra
Moenkhausia pittieri
A shimmering silver tetra whose scales sparkle like diamonds under good lighting, best in a spacious school.
- Adult size
- 7–8 cm / 2.8–3.1 in
- Minimum tank
- 110 L / 29 gal
Beginner care
Emperor Tetra
Nematobrycon palmeri
An elegant tetra with violet-toned colouring and flowing fins; males develop a distinctive extended central caudal ray.
- Adult size
- 7–8 cm / 2.8–3.1 in
- Minimum tank
- 110 L / 29 gal
Beginner care
Bloodfin Tetra
Aphyocharax anisitsi
A lively silver-bodied schooling tetra recognised by its vivid red fins, hardy and adaptable, including to cooler water.
- Adult size
- 4–5 cm / 1.6–2 in
- Minimum tank
- 75 L / 20 gal
Beginner care
Congo Tetra
Phenacogrammus interruptus
A larger African characin with flowing fins and iridescent rainbow colouring, best appreciated in a spacious school.
- Adult size
- 7–8 cm / 2.8–3.1 in
- Minimum tank
- 110 L / 29 gal
Beginner care
Buenos Aires Tetra
Hyphessobrycon anisitsi
A large, robust and fast-swimming schooling tetra for roomy aquariums; a notorious plant-eater best kept with hardy plants.
- Adult size
- 5–7 cm / 2–2.75 in
- Minimum tank
- 75 L / 20 gal
Beginner care
Black Phantom Tetra
Hyphessobrycon megalopterus
A peaceful schooling tetra; males display dramatic tall black dorsal fins and a silvery body with a black shoulder patch.
- Adult size
- 4–5 cm / 1.6–2 in
- Minimum tank
- 38 L / 10 gal
Beginner care
Red Phantom Tetra
Hyphessobrycon sweglesi
A peaceful schooling tetra in which males glow red with elegant black-edged dorsal fins, suited to soft planted aquariums.
- Adult size
- 4–5 cm / 1.6–2 in
- Minimum tank
- 75 L / 20 gal
Plan your aquarium
Start with the right tank volume
Tetras need adequate horizontal swimming space and should be kept in groups. Use the calculator before planning a new school or community aquarium.
Aquarium volume calculator