Types of Tetra Fish: 12 Popular Tetras for Your Aquarium
Published: 2026-10-29 · FishyKart Blog
Tetras are small, schooling fish from the family Characidae and related families, mostly from South America and a few from Africa. Most aquarium tetras stay between 0.8 and 3 inches, live in groups of 6 or more, and suit planted community tanks of 10-30 gallons. This guide compares the 12 tetras you are most likely to find in stores, with size, minimum tank and temperament, so you can pick the right group for your aquarium.
Photo: Holger Krisp - Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 3.0
Tetra Types at a Glance
| Tetra | Adult size / Tank / Temperament |
| Neon tetra | 1.2-1.5 in / 10-20 gal / Peaceful |
| Cardinal tetra | 1.5-2 in / 20 gal / Peaceful, warmer water |
| Ember tetra | 0.8 in / 10 gal / Peaceful, nano |
| Black neon tetra | 1.5 in / 15-20 gal / Peaceful, hardy |
| Glowlight tetra | 1.5 in / 15-20 gal / Peaceful, hardy |
| Serpae tetra | 1.5-1.75 in / 20 gal / Semi-aggressive, nips fins |
| Rummy nose tetra | 2 in / 20 gal long / Peaceful, sensitive |
| Black skirt tetra | 2-2.5 in / 20 gal / Can nip fins |
| Lemon tetra | 2 in / 20 gal / Peaceful |
| Congo tetra | 3 in / 30+ gal / Peaceful, needs space |
| Buenos aires tetra | 2.5-3 in / 30 gal / Nippy, eats plants |
| Diamond tetra | 2-2.5 in / 20-30 gal / Peaceful |
Sizes and tank sizes are typical ranges reported by aquarium references such as Seriously Fish; individual fish vary.
Small Tetras for Nano and Planted Tanks
The smallest tetras suit tanks from 10 gallons and look best in dense groups.
- Ember tetra (Hyphessobrycon amandae): bright orange, under 1 inch, ideal for a 10-gallon planted tank with a group of 8-10.
- Neon tetra (Paracheirodon innesi): the classic blue and red stripe. Neons are sensitive to new-tank swings, so add them after the tank is cycled. Read about neon tetra disease before buying a group.
- Cardinal tetra (Paracheirodon axelrodi): red stripe runs the full body length; prefers warmer water, about 77-84 F. See cardinal vs neon tetra.
Hardy Tetras for Beginners
If you are new to fishkeeping, start with species that tolerate small mistakes.
- Black neon tetra (Hyphessobrycon herbertaxelrodi): tough and calm, a good first schooling fish.
- Glowlight tetra (Hemigrammus erythrozonus): glowing orange stripe, peaceful and adaptable.
- Lemon tetra (Hyphessobrycon pulchripinnis): yellow body, calm, colors improve with good food.
Medium and Larger Tetras
Bigger tetras need longer tanks and more swimming space.
- Rummy nose tetra (Hemigrammus rhodostomus and relatives): red nose fades when water quality drops, which makes it a useful warning sign.
- Congo tetra (Phenacogrammus interruptus): an African tetra with iridescent scales; males grow long, flowing fins.
- Buenos aires tetra (Psalidodon anisitsi, formerly Hyphessobrycon anisitsi): hardy but eats soft plants and nips fins.
- Diamond tetra (Moenkhausia pittieri): sparkling scales that develop with age.
Tetras That Nip Fins
Some tetras chase and nip slow fish with long fins. Serpae, black skirt and buenos aires tetras are the usual offenders. Keep them in larger groups (8 or more), which spreads the nipping inside the school, and avoid housing them with bettas, angelfish or fancy guppies.
Basic Tetra Care
- Group size: 6 minimum, 8-10 for nano species.
- Water: most tetras do well at 72-80 F and soft to moderately hard water; avoid sudden changes.
- Food: small flakes or micro pellets plus frozen or live foods such as brine shrimp and bloodworms.
- Decor: plants, dark substrate and some open swimming space bring out color.
Good Tank Mates for Tetras
Peaceful community fish of similar size work best: corydoras, harlequin rasboras, honey gouramis, otocinclus and kuhli loaches. Avoid large predators: anything that can fit a tetra in its mouth, such as adult oscars or bala sharks, will eat it.
Browse live tetras in our tetra fish collection.