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See more at Wikipedia.org...

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Noun
1. brightly colored tropical freshwater fishes
(hypernym) characin, characin fish, characid
(member-holonym) Hemigrammus, genus Hemigrammus

adj. gloomy, dreary, dismal, dark, sour, dusky, feral, sombre, somber, lugubrious, morose

A combining form or prefix signifying four, as in tetrabasic, tetrapetalous.

  

A combining form (also used adjectively) denoting four proportional or combining parts of the substance or ingredient denoted by the term to which it is prefixed, as in tetra-chloride, tetroxide.

  

Common Name
Albino Buenos Aires Tetra
Other Common Names
--
Scientific Name
Hemigrammus caudovittatus species
Family
Characidae
Community
General
Class
Tetra
Temperature
78 ºF
Swimming Range
Middle
Adult Length
2 1/2-2 3/4 inches
Feeding Habits
Fresh spinach, zucchini, lettuce and peas. Live blood worms, glass worms, brine shrimp and tubifex worms. Frozen vegetable diet, daphnia, plankton, beef heart, brine shrimp, glass worms and blood worms. Flake and freeze dried foods also accepted.
Compatibility
Peaceful and schooling with fish of the same size.
Habitat
Brazil: Moderately decorated with rocks, plastic plants and driftwood. Live plants will be eaten.
Breeding
Adult males display the more colorful finage.
Additional Comments
Java Fern is a good live plant for Buenos Aires, as they do not like to eat this plant.

Common Name
Black Neon Tetra
Other Common Names
--
Scientific Name
Hyphessobrycon herbertaxelrodi
Family
Characidae
Community
Docile
Class
Tetra
Temperature
78 ºF
Swimming Range
Middle
Adult Length
1 1/4- 1 1/2 inches
Feeding Habits
Live tubifex worms, blood worms, glass worms and brine shrimp. Frozen daphnia, glass worms, brine shrimp, blood worms and plankton. All freeze dried and flake foods accepted as well.
Compatibility
Peaceful and schooling with the same sized fish.
Habitat
Brazil: Moderately decorate with rocks, driftwood and live plants.
Breeding
Adult males are smaller and slimmer than females.
Additional Comments
They are not a true neon, even though the name suggests they are.

Common Name
Black Phantom Tetra
Other Common Names
--
Scientific Name
Megalamphodus megalopterus
Family
Characidae
Community
General
Class
Tetra
Temperature
78 ºF
Swimming Range
Middle
Adult Length
1 1/2-1 3/4 inches
Feeding Habits
Live blood worms, glass worms, brine shrimp and tubifex worms. Frozen vegetable diet, daphnia, plankton, beef heart, brine shrimp, glass worms and blood worms. Flake and freeze dried foods also accepted.
Compatibility
Peaceful and schooling with fish of the same size.
Habitat
Brazil: Moderately decorated with rocks, live plants and driftwood.
Breeding
The female is the one who displays the red coloration in her anal and pectoral fins. While the male's anal and pectoral fins are a smoky gray color.
Additional Comments
Male Black Phantoms will stake out territories and defend them from other males, There is not alot of fighting that takes place in this ritual, the males will throw up their fins and circle around each other until one of them backs down and swims away.

Common Name
Black Skirt Tetra
Other Common Names
Black Tetra, Black Widow
Scientific Name
Gymnocorymbus ternetzi
Family
Characidae
Community
General
Class
Tetra
Temperature
78 ºF
Swimming Range
Middle
Adult Length
2-2 1/4 inches
Feeding Habits
Live blood worms, glass worms, brine shrimp and tubifex worms. Frozen vegetable diet, daphnia, plankton, beef heart, brine shrimp, glass worms and blood worms. Flake and freeze dried foods also accepted.
Compatibility
Peaceful and schooling with fish of the same size.
Habitat
Bolivia-Paraguay: Moderately decorated with rocks, live plants and driftwood.
Breeding
The anal fin of the female is parallel with the black line on her stomach. The dorsal fin on the male is narrower and comes to more of a point at the top.
Additional Comments
Their black color fades to gray as they mature.

Common Name
Bleeding Heart Tetra
Other Common Names
--
Scientific Name
Hyphessobrycon eryhrostigma
Family
Characidae
Community
General
Class
Tetra
Temperature
78 ºF
Swimming Range
Middle
Adult Length
2 1/2 inches
Feeding Habits
Live blood worms, glass worms, tubifex worms and brine shrimp. Frozen plankton, daphnia, blood worms, brine shrimp and glass worms. Flake and freeze dried foods also accepted.
Compatibility
Peaceful and schooling fish.
Habitat
Columbia: Moderately decorated with live plants, rocks and driftwood.
Breeding
Unknown.
Additional Comments
Some Bleeding Heart can grow long flowing fins. This has nothing to do with the gender of the fish.

Common Name
Other Common Names
--
Scientific Name
Aphyocharax anisitsi
Family
Characidae
Community
Docile
Class
Tetra
Temperature
78 ºF
Swimming Range
Middle
Adult Length
1 3/4-2 inches
Feeding Habits
Live blood worms, glass worms, brine shrimp and tubifex worms. Frozen vegetable diet, daphnia, plankton, beef heart, brine shrimp, glass worms and blood worms. Flake and freeze dried foods also accepted.
Compatibility
Peaceful and schooling with fish of the same size.
Habitat
Argentina: Moderately decorated with rocks, live plants and driftwood.
Breeding
The anal fin of the male has a small hook on the end. During spawning 300-500 eggs are produced.
Additional Comments
The Bloodfin has an average life span of ten years.

Common Name
Buenos Aires Tetra
Other Common Names
--
Scientific Name
Hemigrammus caudovittatus
Family
Characidae
Community
General
Class
Tetra
Temperature
78 ºF
Swimming Range
Middle
Adult Length
2 1/2-2 3/4 inches
Feeding Habits
Fresh spinach, zucchini, lettuce and peas. Live blood worms, glass worms, brine shrimp and tubifex worms. Frozen vegetable diet, daphnia, plankton, beef heart, brine shrimp, glass worms and blood worms. Flake and freeze dried foods also accepted.
Compatibility
Peaceful and schooling with fish of the same size.
Habitat
Brazil: Moderately decorated with rocks, plastic plants and driftwood. Live plants will be eaten.
Breeding
Adult male's display the more colorful finage.
Additional Comments
Java Fern is a good live plant for Buenos Aires, as they do not like to eat this plant.

Common Name
Congo Tetra
Other Common Names
--
Scientific Name
Phenacogrammus interruptus
Family
Alestidae
Community
General
Class
Tetra
Temperature
78 ºF
Swimming Range
Top-Middle
Adult Length
2 1/2-3 inches
Feeding Habits
Fresh spinach. lettuce, zucchini and peas. Frozen blood worms, brine shrimp, glass worms, beef heart, daphnia and vegetable diet. Live blood worms, brine shrimp, glass worms and tubifex worms. Freeze dried and flake foods will also be accepted.
Compatibility
A peaceful schooling that mixes with similar sized fish.
Habitat
Africa: Moderately decorate with live plants, rocks and driftwood.
Breeding
The finage on the male is longer, while the female is smaller and her body colors are not as brilliant.
Additional Comments
Congo's are best kept in schools of 5 or more. Frequent water changes are recommended as they are sensitive to nitrites.

Common Name
Diamond Tetra
Other Common Names
Pittier Tetra
Scientific Name
Moenkhausia pittieri
Family
Characidae
Community
General
Class
Tetra
Temperature
78 ºF
Swimming Range
Middle
Adult Length
2 1/4-2 1/2 inches
Feeding Habits
Live blood worms, glass worms, brine shrimp and tubifex worms. Frozen vegetable diet, daphnia, plankton, beef heart, brine shrimp, glass worms and blood worms. Flake and freeze dried foods also accepted.
Compatibility
Peaceful and schooling with fish of the same size.
Habitat
Venezuela: Moderately decorated with rocks, live plants and driftwood.
Breeding
The dorsal fin on the male in longer and comes to a point at the end.
Additional Comments
The glitter effect of this fish does not appear in juveniles, only in the adult fish.

Common Name
Diamond Tetra
Other Common Names
Pittier Tetra
Scientific Name
Moenkhausia pittieri
Family
Characidae
Community
General
Class
Tetra
Temperature
78 ºF
Swimming Range
Middle
Adult Length
2 1/4-2 1/2 inches
Feeding Habits
Live blood worms, glass worms, brine shrimp and tubifex worms. Frozen vegetable diet, daphnia, plankton, beef heart, brine shrimp, glass worms and blood worms. Flake and freeze dried foods also accepted.
Compatibility
Peaceful and schooling with fish of the same size.
Habitat
Venezuela: Moderately decorated with rocks, live plants and driftwood.
Breeding
The dorsal fin on the male in longer and comes to a point at the end.
Additional Comments
The glitter effect of this fish does not appear in juveniles, only in the adult fish.

Common Name
Glow Light Tetra
Other Common Names
--
Scientific Name
Hemigrammus erythrozonus
Family
Characidae
Community
Docile
Class
Tetra
Temperature
78 ºF
Swimming Range
Middle
Adult Length
1 3/4 inches
Feeding Habits
Live blood worms, glass worms, brine shrimp and tubifex worms. Frozen vegetable diet, daphnia, plankton, beef heart, brine shrimp, glass worms and blood worms. Flake and freeze dried foods also accepted.
Compatibility
Peaceful and schooling with fish of the same size.
Habitat
Guyana: Moderately decorated with rocks, live plants and driftwood.
Breeding
Adult female's are larger and have a fuller body.
Additional Comments
Glow Lights mix well with Neon Tetras and other schooling fish of the same size.

Common Name
Gold Skirt Tetra
Other Common Names
--
Scientific Name
Gymnocorymbus ternetzi species
Family
Characidae
Community
General
Class
Tetra
Temperature
78 ºF
Swimming Range
Middle
Adult Length
2-2 1/4 inches
Feeding Habits
Live blood worms, glass worms, brine shrimp and tubifex worms. Frozen vegetable diet, daphnia, plankton, beef heart, brine shrimp, glass worms and blood worms. Flake and freeze dried foods also accepted.
Compatibility
Peaceful and schooling with fish of the same size.
Habitat
Bolivia-Paraguay: Moderately decorated with rocks, live plants and driftwood.
Breeding
The anal fin of the female is parallel with the black line on her stomach. The dorsal fin on the male is narrower and comes to more of a point at the top.

Common Name
Golden Pristella Tetra
Other Common Names
--
Scientific Name
Pristella riddlei species
Family
Characidae
Community
General
Class
Tetra
Temperature
78 ºF
Swimming Range
Middle
Adult Length
1 3/4 inches
Feeding Habits
Live blood worms, glass worms, brine shrimp and tubifex worms. Frozen vegetable diet, daphnia, plankton, beef heart, brine shrimp, glass worms and blood worms. Flake and freeze dried foods also accepted.
Compatibility
Peaceful and schooling with fish of the same size.
Habitat
South America: Moderately decorated with rocks, live plants and driftwood.
Breeding
Unknown
Additional Comments
A good schooling fish that set off the colors of other fish in the aquarium.

Common Name
Head-N-Tail Light Tetra
Other Common Names
Beacon Tetra
Scientific Name
Hemigrammus ocellifer
Family
Characidae
Community
General
Class
Tetra
Temperature
78 ºF
Swimming Range
Middle
Adult Length
2 inches
Feeding Habits
Live blood worms, glass worms, brine shrimp and tubifex worms. Frozen vegetable diet, daphnia, plankton, beef heart, brine shrimp, glass worms and blood worms. Flake and freeze dried foods also accepted.
Compatibility
Peaceful and schooling with fish of the same size.
Habitat
Guyana: Moderately decorated with rocks, live plants and driftwood.
Breeding
The adult female has a fuller body. During spawning 200-1000 eggs can be produced.
Additional Comments
Live plants will be nibbled on, but there will not be significant damage to them.

Common Name
Lamp Eye Tetra
Other Common Names
Red Eye Tetra, Glass Tetra
Scientific Name
Moenkhausia sanctaefilomenae
Family
Characidae
Community
General
Class
Tetra
Temperature
78 ºF
Swimming Range
Middle
Adult Length
2 1/4-2 3/4 inches
Feeding Habits
Live blood worms, glass worms, brine shrimp and tubifex worms. Frozen vegetable diet, daphnia, plankton, beef heart, brine shrimp, glass worms and blood worms. Flake and freeze dried foods also accepted.
Compatibility
Peaceful and schooling with fish of the same size.
Habitat
Bolivia-Paraguay: Moderately decorated with rocks, live plants and driftwood.
Breeding
Female is rounder and has a fuller body. During spawning up to 2000 eggs can be produced.
Additional Comments
Lamp Eyes like to nibble on live plants, but will not cause substantial damage to them.

Common Name
Lemon Tetra
Other Common Names
--
Scientific Name
Hyphessobrycon pulchripinnis
Family
Characidae
Community
General
Class
Tetra
Temperature
78 ºF
Swimming Range
Middle
Adult Length
1 1/2-2 inches
Feeding Habits
Live blood worms, glass worms, brine shrimp and tubifex worms. Frozen daphnia, plankton, beef heart, brine shrimp, glass worms and blood worms. Flake and freeze dried foods also accepted.
Compatibility
Peaceful and schooling with fish of the same size.
Habitat
Brazil: Moderately decorated with rocks, live plants and driftwood.
Breeding
Lays between 100-200 eggs during spawning and the parents will eat the eggs. The fry
nature very slowly. Additional Comments
Additional Comments
The Lemon Tetra will lose their color in hard water.

Common Name
Long Fin Gold Skirt Tetra
Other Common Names
--
Scientific Name
Gymnocorymbus ternetzi species
Family
Characidae
Community
General
Class
Tetra
Temperature
78 ºF
Swimming Range
Middle
Adult Length
2-2 1/4 inches
Feeding Habits
Live blood worms, glass worms, brine shrimp and tubifex worms. Frozen vegetable diet, daphnia, plankton, beef heart, brine shrimp, glass worms and blood worms. Flake and freeze dried foods also accepted.
Compatibility
Peaceful and schooling with fish of the same size.
Habitat
Bolivia-Paraguay: Moderately decorated with rocks, live plants and driftwood.
Breeding
The anal fin of the female is parallel with the black line on her stomach. The dorsal fin on the male is narrower and comes to more of a point at the top.
Additional Comments
Painted versions of the Gold Skirt are available, but Petsmart does not carry these fish due to the methods of injecting the dye into the fish.

Common Name
Long Fin Gold Skirt Tetra
Other Common Names
--
Scientific Name
Gymnocorymbus ternetzi species
Family
Characidae
Community
General
Class
Tetra
Temperature
78 ºF
Swimming Range
Middle
Adult Length
2-2 1/4 inches
Feeding Habits
Live blood worms, glass worms, brine shrimp and tubifex worms. Frozen vegetable diet, daphnia, plankton, beef heart, brine shrimp, glass worms and blood worms. Flake and freeze dried foods also accepted.
Compatibility
Peaceful and schooling with fish of the same size.
Habitat
Bolivia-Paraguay: Moderately decorated with rocks, live plants and driftwood.
Breeding
The anal fin of the female is parallel with the black line on her stomach. The dorsal fin on the male is narrower and comes to more of a point at the top.
Additional Comments
Painted versions of the Gold Skirt are available.

Common Name
Long Fin Red Minor Tetra
Other Common Names
Long Fin Serpae Tetra, Long Fin Blood Tetra
Scientific Name
Hyphessobrycon callistus species
Family
Characidae
Community
General
Class
Tetra
Temperature
78 ºF
Swimming Range
Middle
Adult Length
1 1/2 inches
Feeding Habits
Frozen blood worms, glass worms, brine shrimp, plankton and daphnia. Live blood worms, glass worms, tubifex worms and brine shrimp. All types of freeze dried and flake foods are also accepted.
Compatibility
Peaceful and schooling, but can be aggressive at times.
Habitat
Brazil: Moderately decorate with rocks, live plants and driftwood.
Breeding
Females have a rounder and fuller body.
Additional Comments
Keep the Red Minor's well fed and any aggression problem they may have will be minimized immediately.

Common Name
Neon Tetra
Other Common Names
--
Scientific Name
Paracheirodon innesi
Family
Characidae
Community
Docile
Class
Tetra
Temperature
78 ºF
Swimming Range
Middle
Adult Length
1 1/4-1 1/2 inches
Feeding Habits
Live blood worms, glass worms, tubifex worms and brine shrimp. Frozen plankton, daphnia, blood worms, brine shrimp and glass worms. Flake and freeze dried foods also accepted.
Compatibility
Peaceful and schooling fish. Mix with the same sized fish, as Neons tend to be eaten by other fish.
Habitat
Brazil-Peru: Moderately decorated with live plants, rocks and driftwood.
Breeding
The horizontal blue line is bent in the female. During spawning they will lay over 100 eggs.
Additional Comments
The Neon Tetra has a ten year average life span.

Common Name
Pristella Tetra
Other Common Names
--
Scientific Name
Pristella riddlei
Family
Characidae
Community
Docile
Class
Tetra
Temperature
78 ºF
Swimming Range
Middle
Adult Length
1 3/4 inches
Feeding Habits
Live blood worms, glass worms, brine shrimp and tubifex worms. Frozen vegetable diet, daphnia, plankton, beef heart, brine shrimp, glass worms and blood worms. Flake and freeze dried foods also accepted.
Compatibility
Peaceful and schooling with fish of the same size.
Habitat
South America: Moderately decorated with rocks, live plants and driftwood.
Breeding
Unknown
Additional Comments
A good schooling fish that set off the colors of other fish in the aquarium.

Common Name
Red Minor Tetra
Other Common Names
Serpae Tetra, Blood Tetra
Scientific Name
Hyphessobrycon callistus
Family
Characidae
Community
General
Class
Tetra
Temperature
78 ºF
Swimming Range
Middle
Adult Length
1 1/2 inches
Feeding Habits
Frozen blood worms, glass worms, brine shrimp, plankton and daphnia. Live blood worms, glass worms, tubifex worms and brine shrimp. All types of freeze dried and flake foods are also accepted.
Compatibility
Peaceful and schooling, but can be aggressive at times.
Habitat
Brazil: Moderately decorate with rocks, live plants and driftwood.
Breeding
Females have a rounder and fuller body.
Additional Comments
Keep the Red Minor's well fed and any aggression problem they may have will be minimized immediately.

Common Name
Red Phantom Tetra
Other Common Names
--
Scientific Name
Megalamphodus sweglesi
Family
Characidae
Community
General
Class
Tetra
Temperature
78 ºF
Swimming Range
Middle
Adult Length
1 1/2-1 3/4 inches
Feeding Habits
Live brine shrimp, blood worms, glass worms and tubifex worms. Frozen daphnia, plankton, blood worms, brine shrimp and glass worms. Freeze dried and flake foods also accepted.
Compatibility
A peaceful, schooling fish that mixes well with all types of similar sized fish.
Habitat
Columbia: Densely decorated with live plants, driftwood and rocks.
Breeding
The female has white, red and black in her dorsal fin, while the male's is red, black and pointed.
Additional Comments
They are very sensitive to poor water conditions.

Common Name
Flame Tetra
Other Common Names
1 1/2-1 3/4 inches
Scientific Name
Hyphessobrycon flammeus
Family
Characidae
Community
General
Class
Tetra
Temperature
78 ºF
Swimming Range
Middle
Adult Length
1 1/2-1 3/4 inches
Feeding Habits
Live tubifex worms, blood worms, glass worms and brine shrimp. Frozen daphnia, glass worms, brine shrimp, blood worms and plankton. All freeze dried and flake foods accepted as well.
Compatibility
A peaceful and schooling fish.
Habitat
Brazil: Moderately decorate with rocks, driftwood and live plants.
Breeding
Male's have dark red anal fins, while the female's is a paler red or yellow.
Additional Comments
A good fish for the beginning hobbyist.