Tetras Care Guides

Tetras bring schooling movement and color to a freshwater aquarium. These guides cover the tetra species listed in our store, with separate notes for peaceful species and fish that can nip fins or damage plants.

General Care

Start with a fully cycled aquarium, a secure lid, plants or other cover around the edges, and an open swimming area. Keep each species in a group of at least six; eight to ten or more is better where space allows. Test ammonia and nitrite, which should remain at zero, and use regular water changes to control nitrate. Match water conditions to the species below. Feed small portions of quality flakes or micro-pellets with suitable frozen foods. Egg-scattering tetras generally need a separate breeding setup because adults eat eggs and fry.

Tank sizes below are planning recommendations for adult care. Aquarium footprint, group size, filtration, and individual behavior can require more space. Use stable conditions within the listed range; avoid sudden changes.

Red-eye Tetra

Scientific name / group: Bario sanctaefilomenae (also sold as Moenkhausia sanctaefilomenae)
Adult size: about 3 inches
Temperature: 72–79°F
pH: 6.0–8.0
Water hardness: moderate
Aquarium: 30 gallons or larger; at least 36 inches long
Temperament: Active; sometimes boisterous

Aquarium setup: Leave swimming room between planted borders.

Feeding: Small pellets, flakes, and small frozen invertebrates.

Tank mates: Choose active fish of similar size; watch for fin nipping around slow or long-finned tankmates.

Breeding: Use fine plants or a spawning mop and remove adults after egg scattering.

Listed fish / animals: Red eye Tetra

Penguin Tetra

Scientific name / group: Thayeria boehlkei
Adult size: about 1.5–2 inches
Temperature: 72–82°F
pH: 6.0–7.5
Water hardness: soft to moderate
Aquarium: 20 gallons or larger
Temperament: Peaceful schooling fish

Aquarium setup: Plants and shaded retreats help the school settle.

Feeding: Small flakes, micro-pellets, daphnia, and brine shrimp.

Tank mates: Keep with gentle small community fish; avoid larger predators and very boisterous feeders.

Breeding: Provide fine plants in a separate spawning tank; protect eggs from adults.

Listed fish / animals: Penguin Tetra

Lemon Tetra

Scientific name / group: Hyphessobrycon pulchripinnis
Adult size: about 1.5–2 inches
Temperature: 72–80°F
pH: 6.0–7.5
Water hardness: soft to moderate
Aquarium: 30 gallons or larger with a long swimming area
Temperament: Peaceful

Aquarium setup: Use planted cover with open water and a group of eight or more.

Feeding: Flakes or micro-pellets plus daphnia or brine shrimp.

Tank mates: Suitable with other peaceful small fish sharing its water conditions.

Breeding: Scatter eggs among fine plants; separate adults from eggs.

Listed fish / animals: Lemon Tetra

Candy Cane Tetra

Scientific name / group: Hyphessobrycon bentosi (also classified as Megalamphodus bentosi)
Adult size: about 2 inches
Temperature: 74–80°F
pH: 6.0–7.5
Water hardness: soft to moderate
Aquarium: 30 gallons or larger; about 36 inches long
Temperament: Generally peaceful

Aquarium setup: Plant the edges and provide some shade without crowding the swimming space.

Feeding: Small flakes, micro-pellets, and small frozen foods.

Tank mates: Gentle tetras, rasboras, and suitable corys are better companions than aggressive fish.

Breeding: Egg scatterer; use a separate planted spawning tank to protect eggs and tiny fry.

Listed fish / animals: Candy Cane Tetra

Glowlight Tetra

Scientific name / group: Hemigrammus erythrozonus
Adult size: about 1.5–2 inches
Temperature: 75–82°F
pH: 6.0–7.5
Water hardness: soft to moderate
Aquarium: 20 gallons or larger
Temperament: Peaceful

Aquarium setup: Provide plants, darker shaded areas, and a group of eight to ten.

Feeding: Micro-pellets, fine flakes, and small live or frozen foods.

Tank mates: Good with calm small fish; larger cichlids may eat it.

Breeding: Use soft, mildly acidic water and fine plants; remove adults and keep eggs shaded.

Listed fish / animals: Glowlight Tetra

Emperor Tetra

Scientific name / group: Nematobrycon palmeri
Adult size: about 2 inches
Temperature: 73–81°F
pH: 6.0–7.5
Water hardness: soft to moderate
Aquarium: 30 gallons or larger; about 36 inches long
Temperament: Peaceful overall; males display and defend small spaces

Aquarium setup: Break sightlines with plants and keep a balanced group.

Feeding: Small flakes, pellets, and varied frozen foods.

Tank mates: Use calm community companions and room for males to move apart.

Breeding: Fine plants or spawning mops help protect scattered eggs; rear fry separately.

Listed fish / animals: Emperor Tetra

Buenos Aires Tetra

Scientific name / group: Hyphessobrycon anisitsi (also classified as Psalidodon anisitsi)
Adult size: about 3 inches
Temperature: 68–77°F
pH: 6.0–8.0
Water hardness: soft to moderate
Aquarium: 30 gallons or larger; at least 36 inches long
Temperament: Active; can nip fins

Aquarium setup: Provide substantial swimming room; tender plants may be eaten.

Feeding: Flakes or pellets with plant content plus suitable frozen foods.

Tank mates: Choose robust, active companions; avoid delicate plants and long-finned fish.

Breeding: Egg scatterer; protect eggs and fry in a separate setup.

Listed fish / animals: Buenos Aires Tetra

Von Rio / Flame Tetra

Scientific name / group: Hyphessobrycon flammeus
Adult size: about 1–1.5 inches
Temperature: 70–79°F
pH: 6.0–7.5
Water hardness: soft to moderate
Aquarium: 20 gallons or larger
Temperament: Peaceful schooling fish

Aquarium setup: Use a mature planted tank with shaded resting areas.

Feeding: Fine flakes, micro-pellets, and tiny frozen foods.

Tank mates: Keep with gentle fish too small to swallow it.

Breeding: Fine plants and a separate spawning tank protect scattered eggs.

Listed fish / animals: Von Rio Tetra

Serpae Tetra

Scientific name / group: Hyphessobrycon eques (also classified as Megalamphodus eques)
Adult size: about 1.5–2 inches
Temperature: 72–79°F
pH: 6.0–7.5
Water hardness: soft to moderate
Aquarium: 30 gallons or larger
Temperament: Active; known fin-nipper

Aquarium setup: Keep eight to ten or more with plants and open swimming room.

Feeding: Flakes, micro-pellets, and small frozen foods.

Tank mates: Avoid slow, delicate, or long-finned companions; a larger group helps but cannot guarantee compatibility.

Breeding: Egg scatterer; remove adults from the spawning setup.

Listed fish / animals: Serpae Tetra

Diamond Tetra

Scientific name / group: Moenkhausia pittieri (also classified as Makunaima pittieri)
Adult size: about 2.5 inches
Temperature: 75–82°F
pH: 5.5–7.0
Water hardness: soft to moderate
Aquarium: 30 gallons or larger
Temperament: Generally peaceful

Aquarium setup: Use plants and subdued areas; juvenile fish gain their sparkle as they mature.

Feeding: Quality flakes or small pellets with varied small frozen foods.

Tank mates: Choose peaceful companions and keep a group rather than isolated fish.

Breeding: Soft water and fine plants suit spawning; protect eggs and fry from adults.

Listed fish / animals: Diamond Tetra

Species references and further reading

Ordering & Shipping

Orders must be placed by Sunday night to ship Monday. Check the individual product listing for available sizes, quantities, and shipping and live-arrival terms.

Back to all Care Guides