Tetras: Best Schooling Fish for the Beginners. Different Types of Tetras.

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Cardinal Tetra

Tetras are the best schooling fish for the beginners. They are active and work well in community tanks. It is preferred to keep 6 or more of the same variety of fish. Planted aquarium is well suited for the tetras. 


Tetras belong to the family of characidae. Tetras are mostly found in the area of Africa, Central America and South America. These fishes are different from other fishes with an adipose fin, small round shape fin in between tail and dorsal fin.

Size and Lifespan

There are different varieties of tetras and the size of these tetras are different from one another. The maximum size of the tetras is around 5 inches. Lifespan of these fishes can vary from 5 to 10 years depending upon variety and environments.

Different Types of Tetras

There are over 150 varieties or unique tetras in the world. Following are the few of the most famous tetras.

  1. Neon Tetra
  2. Black Tetra
  3. Lemon Tetra
  4. Cardinal Tetra
  5. Buenos Aires Tetra
  6. Congo Tetra
  7. Glowlight Tetra
  8. Bloodfin Tetra
  9. Ember Tetra
  10. Bleeding Heart Tetra
  11. Emperor Tetra
  12. Black Skirt Tetra
  13. Penguin Tetra
  14. Diamond Tetra
  15. Serpae Tetra
  16. Green Neon Tetra
  17. Flame Tetra
  18. Blue Tetra
  19. Ruby Tetra
  20. Rainbow Tetra
  21. Rummy Nose Tetra
  22. Black Neon Tetra
  23. Redeye Tetra
  24. Black Phantom Tetra
  25. Mexican Tetra
  26. Silvertip Tetra
  27. Columbian Tetra
  28. Panda Tetra
  29. Bucktooth Tetra
  30. X-Ray Tetra
  31. Flag Tetra
  32. Head and Tail Light Tetra
  33. Pristella Tetra
  34. Red Phantom Tetra
  35. Candy Cane Tetra



Tank Requirements

Tetras can be kept in aquariums of 10 to 20 gallons. Providing a larger tank will help them to swim freely. As these fishes are schooling, keeping a minimum of 6 is ideal. More fish, less stress for the fish. Try to place live plants in aquariums for better matching environment for the tetras.

Since these fishes are active swimmers, they must install filters in aquariums. Also filters will help in preventing accumulation  of  ammonia, nitrite and nitrate. Ideal pH for these fishes will be 5.0 to 7.0. As these fishes are originally from Africa, to maintain higher temperature similar to native of fish, usage of heater is preferred.

Food and Diet

Most of the tetras are Omnivorous. They will eat both plant and animal material. Foods that can be given to tetras are flakes, pellets, brine shrimp, frozen foods and live foods.

Breeding

It is difficult to differentiate male and female in tetras. Usually female tetras are larger than males. So it is best to keep more fish, to cover both male and females in a tank. Tetras are not livebearers, they will lay eggs.

Tetras are difficult to breed because they are sensitive towards water conation and less eager to breed. If the water conditions are good and the number of fishes are more in the tank, there may be possibilities for females to lay eggs. Eggs are laid on the plants or decorative items in the tank.

Disease

Tetras are nor prone to any of the diseases. But tetras are very sensitive to change in water conditions. Water change bi-weekly is a must for the tetras.











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