Minimum Tank Size: 15 gallons
Care Level: Easy
Temperament: Peaceful
Aquarium Hardiness: Hardy
Water Conditions: 72-77° F, KH 4-8, pH 5.5-7.0
Max. Size: 2″
Color Form: Clear, Red
Diet: Omnivore
Compatibility: Peaceful, keep with other small tetras
Origin: Farm Raised, Essequibo River in Guyana
Family: Characidae
Lifespan: 2 – 4 years
Aquarist Experience Level: Beginner
Size : 1" - 1.2"
Neon Tetras (Paracheirodon innesi) are native to the clear water streams of South America. They have an iridescent blue body with bright red tails and when kept in schools of eight or more, create a startling splash of color to any aquarium.
Neon Tetras prefer a setting similar to their natural habitat. A densely planted aquarium that has a few rocks, some driftwood nestled between the plants, some floating plants and plenty of low light areas for the fish to hide in, will keep your Neons healthy and happy.
Neon Tetras have a tendency to swim or remain suspended in the water column in large schools. This trait creates a breathtakingly colorful display in any aquarium.
Neons are peaceful little fish and should be housed with other similar South American tetras of the same size. They belong to the family “Characidae” and thrive in slightly acidic (pH 5.0 to 7.0) water.
Neon Tetras will eagerly accept many small foods such as live brine shrimp, daphnia, mosquito larvae, tubifexworms, bloodworms, freeze-dried products, micro pellets, and high quality flake foods. Vary their diet to keep them healthy and happy.
Minimum Tank Size: 10 gallons
Care Level: Easy
Temperament: Peaceful
Aquarium Hardiness: Hardy
Water Conditions: 68-77° F, KH 4-8, pH 5.0-7.0
Max. Size: 2″
Color: Iridescent Blue, Red
Diet: Omnivore
Compatibility: Peaceful
Origin: South America, the Paraguay River basin; Rio Taquari, Pantanal of Mato Grosso do Sul, and Brazil
Family: Characidae
Lifespan: 5 – 10 years
Aquarist Experience Level: Beginner
Approx. 1.5″ – 2″
The Rummynose, also known as “firehead tetras“, are found in the upper and lower Amazon River basins, the Rio Negro and Rio Meta basins, and the Orinoco River.
Rummynose Tetras live in the quiet, tannin stained, slow moving creeks and “blackwater” river areas of Brazil and Columbia. They prefer the soft, acidic water that is the result of decayed vegetation and leaf litter, and frequent areas with an abundance of aquatic plant life and hiding places.
When housed in a heavily planted aquarium environment, Rummynose Tetras are benefited by placing a piece of water logged driftwood into their tanks. When kept in a suitable environment, the ruby red head that is the namesake for these fish becomes more vivid and pronounced.
Rummynose Tetras are a silvery, torpedo shaped fish with two black and white stripes on each caudal fin and horizontal black and white stripes on the tail fin. Its head is a deep iridescent red that continues from the iris of the eye, past the gill plate to mid body. Its name is derived from the word “rummy“, which was the name given to rum addicted alcoholics who often had red (rummy) noses.
Rummynose Tetras are shoaling fish that seldom exceed 2” in length. They are sensitive to water hardness, pH, and water temperature fluctuations and are best kept in schools of 6 or more fish.
Rummynose Tetras are a hardy fish that require only minimal care when housed in a densely planted 20 gallon tank with plenty of gentle water filtration.
Keeping the water warm (between 73 to 80 degrees), the pH between 6.0 to 7.0 and providing weekly 25% water changes will keep your Rummynose Tetras healthy.
When Rummynose Tetras are stressed, the vivid red on their noses will become drab and eventually disappear. This can occur when the fish are first introduced into your aquarium, but after a couple of weeks they will regain their beautiful ruby red “nose” if water conditions are optimal.
Rummynose Tetras will eagerly accept commercial flake foods, live brine shrimp, tubifex worms, mosquito larvae and a variety of freeze dried and frozen foods.
Minimum Tank Size: 15 – 20 gallons
Care Level: Easy
Temperament: Peaceful
Water Conditions: 72-80° F, KH 2-6, pH 5.5-7.0
Max. Size: 2″
Color Form: Red, White
Diet: Omnivore
Compatibility: Ok with large non agressive fish
Origin: South America, Bred in Europe and Southeast Asia
Family: Characidae
Lifespan: 5 to 6 years
Aquarist Experience Level: Experienced
Approx. 1.5" - 3"
Minimum Tank Size: 20 gallons
Care Level: Moderate
Temperament: Aggressive
Aquarium Hardiness: Moderately Hardy
Water Conditions: 74-82° F, 9 – 19 dGH, pH 7.5-8.5
Max. Size: 6.7″
Color Form: Green, Black, Yellow
Diet: Carnivore
Origin: Africa to Asia
Family: Tetraodontidae
Lifespan: Up to 15 years in brackish water
Aquarist Experience Level: Advanced
Size: Approx. 2-2.5"
Minimum Tank Size: 100L
Care Level: Moderate
Temperament: Very aggressive, best kept in species tanks with no other fish.
Water Conditions: 74-81°F, pH 6.5-7.5
Max. Size: 6″
Color Form: A dark brown Puffer with a lighter (sometimes orange) pattern. Has some of cirri (hairs) around the snout.
Diet: Feed mussels, earthworms, shrimp, bloodworms, crayfish, snails. Live food and frozen food should be accepted.
Origin: Laos and Thailand
Family: Tetraodontidae
Lifespan: Up to 8-15 years
Aquarist Experience Level: Moderate Experience
Approx. 5"
Aquarist Experience Level: Beginner
Size of fish - inches: 6.0 inches (15.24 cm)
Minimum Tank Size: 10 gal (38 L)
Temperament: Semi-aggressive
Aquarium Hardiness: Very Hardy
Temperature: 65.0 to 72.0° F (18.3 to 22.2° C)