They come from South America, preferring a more neutral pH than some of the other tetras in that region.īlack tetras (another common name) reach 3 inches (7.6 cm) in length, making them one of the largest tetras in the family. That iconic tail is why you may also see them called black skirt tetras. They also rank as one of the most popular fish in freshwater aquariums.īlack widow tetras combine black and white patterns into a flowing black tail. So you can pair them up with snails or shrimp without any problems.īlack Skirt or black widow tetras ( Gymnocorymbus ternetzi) top the list for most popular tetras kept by aquarists. They also won’t harass any freshwater invertebrates in the tank. When you keep a proper group, they “check-in” with one another before dispersing throughout the upper and middle regions of the tank to explore.īleeding heart tetras get along well without almost any fish – provided they aren’t aggressive. This helps prevent unwanted nipping behaviors. It’s not actually near the fish’s heart, but it came close enough for the name to stick.īleeding hearts do well in schools of between four to six. The Bleeding Heart tetra ( Hyphessobrycon erythrostigma) took its name from the sleek red stripe following its lateral line and the prominent spot of red not too far behind the gills. A tank setup for this species should include plenty of plants, including floating varieties, to give your fish a sense of security. When selecting tank mates, avoid species that occupy the same space. They favor the middle region of the water column. Keeping them in large groups of at least ten will increase their comfort level and lead to more natural behavior. These fish can be somewhat shy and skittish. You can see its uniquely divided swim bladder that forms the shape of the Greek letter pi. The Crystal Tetra (Protochelrodon pl.) is fully transparent, including the fins, and covered in tiny black dots.
It makes them champs at avoiding approaching predators. You see similar structures in catfish, and when combined with the swim bladder, the individual pieces allow the fish to pick up sound waves through the water. Otherwise, there’s a distinct black stripe across the dorsal fin. You can almost see the internal structures within the body if you look closely. X-ray tetras – more commonly known as Pristella tetras ( Pristella maxillaris) – get their name from the slight translucency of their scales. You’ll end up with significant health problems. Be careful not to fall for the trick and overfeed your ember tetras.
You might notice them trying to convince you into dropping extra food into the tank. Make sure there’s a nice balance between the swimming room and plants to hide in.Įmbers have personalities MUCH bigger than their tiny size.
However, they swim in tightly packed schools, so the more you keep, the better the effect. They only reach around 1 inch (2.5 cm) in length. The combination makes for a striking addition, especially in a planted aquarium.Įmber tetras are playful little fish.
#Tetra fish skin
Their skin is relatively thin, appearing almost transparent. This means you need an appropriately sized tank.įor each tetra you add to your aquarium, you need an additional 2 gallons or 7.5 liters of space.Īs you might guess, Ember tetras ( Hyphessobrycon amandae) have a bright orange coloration to suit their name. While you CAN combine different types of tetras without a problem, keep in mind that all tetras are schooling fish. Even the iconic GloFish® comes in tetra form. If you can imagine a color, pattern, or shape, odds are there’s a type of tetra to match your dream.
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