Tetras

The genus Hasemania is one of the few in the family Characidae in which members do not possess an adipose fin. This species is ubiquitous in most dealers' tanks and is one of the best choices for the newcomer to fishkeeping. All the fish sold in the trade have been captive bred and as such are unfussy with regard to both water chemistry and diet. It is sometimes seen for sale with the common name 'copper tetra'....

Generally peaceful making it an ideal resident of the well-researched community aquarium. It is perhaps best-maintained alongside similarly-sized characids, gasteropelecids, lebiasinids, smaller callichthyid or loricariid catfishes and non-predatory, medium-sized cichlids. Try to buy a mixed-sex group of at least 8-10 specimens, incl...

H. compressus is the type species of the genus Hyphessobrycon but is not well-known in the ornamental trade. Hyphessobrycon was raised by Durbin in Eigenmann (1908) as a subgenus of Hemigrammus, differing from the latter by the absence of scales on the caudal-fin.

This species is sometimes traded as 'cherry red Congo tetra' or 'super red Congo tetra' and has also been referred to using the misapplied names Alestopetersius nigropterus (a valid congener) and A. ansorgii (a synonym of Nannopetersius ansorgii).

This species is also traded as 'yellow-finned', 'yellowtail' or 'blue Congo' tetra and is occasionally bred on a commercial basis, although not on a scale comparable to its better-known relative Phenacogrammus interruptus. No recent key to the genus exists but based on Géry (1977) and images in Mbimbi Mayi Munene and Stiassny (2012) it can be told apart from congeners by a combination of: extended median caudal-fin rays in adult males; absence of prominent dar...

This fish is normally traded as A. nigropterus or A. cf. ansorgii although neither appears to be its correct name meaning it remains unidentified at present. A. nigropterus is a valid congener that is not in the aquarium trade with little to no export from Lake Mai-Ndombe, to which it is endemic, while A. ansorgii is a synonym of Nannopetersius ansorgii.

This species appears to be restricted to the Imo and Niger drainages in Nigeria but the full extent of its distribution is unclear. Type locality is 'Aba, Lower Niger, Nigeria', corresponding to the city of Aba in Abia state, southern Nigeria which lies on the Aba River, a tributary of the Imo. Nigeria has lost 95 % of its original rainforest cover, num...

A good beginner's tetra, as it's a hardy species that will adapt to a relatively wide range of conditions. In a well-insulated house it can even be kept in an unheated tank, although it won't be as colourful as when kept in warmer water. It's also quite long-lived and captive specimens over ten years old are not unheard of...

This species is normally referred to as A. paraguayensis, but that name has been considered a synonym of A. nattereri since 2003. Confusion remains however, as the type locality for the latter is 'Villa Bella', now known as Parintins, a settlement on the main Amazon river channel between Manaus and Santarém and many kilometres away from the majority of confirmed localities.

Endemic to Nigeria, where it occurs in the Ogun and lower Niger river systems. Despite its popularity in the aquarium hobby it's relatively scarce in the wild and is known from less than 10 localities, all lying in an area where deforestation and pollution are uncontrolled and continue to occur extensively.

A. bimaculatus is not a popular aquarium fish but is available on occasion exception, most often as a contaminant among shipments of other species. It's identity is also in question to an extent with the name currently applied to what is considered to represent a species complex comprising at least four taxa.

Endemic to pthe upper Amazon basin in Peru, around the city of Iquitos. Most Astyanax spp. are not popular in the aquarium hobby, though the genus is among the most speciose within the family Characidae. A. kennedyi is no exception; you'll rarely see it offered for sale but may find the occasional specimen mixed among other species in shipments of wild fishes from Peru.

Most Astyanax spp. are not popular in the aquarium hobby, though the genus is among the most speciose within the family Characidae. A. leopoldi is no exception in that you'll rarely see it offered for sale but may find the occasional specimen mixed among other species in shipments of wild fishes from Peru.

While the surface-dwelling form of this species is fairly unremarkable and rarely-seen in the hobby, the blind form is very popular indeed. The two may have diverged as recently as within the last 10,000 years, with the blind form losing its eyes and much of its pigment. This probably happened because the fish needed better development in other sensory areas. Losing unnecessary and energy-consuming aspects of its physiology allowed it to devote more energy to developments such as increased numbers of taste receptors on the head.

The genus Brachychalcinus currently contains four other species: B. copei (Steindachner 1882) from the rio Madeira and rio Solimões; B. nummus Böhlke 1958 from the Upper Amazon region in Colombia, Ecuador and Peru; B. parnaibae Reis 1989 from the rio Parnaíba basin, and B. retrospina Boulenger 1892 from the Rio Paraguay system. The group is often referred to collectively as 'silver dollar tetras' and tho...

This species can look quite stunning when cared for properly. It can sometimes be a little delicate when initially imported, as it has very large scales which tend to fall off during transport. Once acclimatised, it usually proves fairly hardy. There are reports of aquarium specimens surviving for over fifteen years in well-maintained conditions....

Not often seen in the hobby, probably because it's a fairly bland species when mature. Juveniles are more attractive, possessing reddish unpaired fins, but these fade as the fish mature. It is, however, both peaceful and hardy and is a good choice for the beginner. It is sometimes seen labelled as G. socolofi. This name is now considered a junior synonym of G. bondi....

Not a common species in the hobby, although it does occasionally show up as a contaminant among imports of more popular species. Like all Hemigrammus, the taxonomic status of this species is currently Incertae Sedis, meaning uncertain. The genus is currently used as something of a catch-all for over 70 species of small characin. Most experts agree that a full revision is required, with the likely outcome that many species will be placed into new or different genera....

This species is very rare in the hobby, and should be snapped up if seen on sale. In the past it was considered a subspecies of H. micropterus. Supposedly, it's not a particularly common species in any of its natural waters. Like all Hemigrammus, the taxonomic status of this species is currently Incertae Sedis, meaning uncertain. The genus is currently used as something of a catch-all for over 70 species of small characin. Most experts agree that a full revision is required, with the lik...

A rather rare fish in the UK hobby. It occasionally shows up as a contaminant among imports of more popular species. Like all Hemigrammus, the taxonomic status of this species is currently Incertae Sedis, meaning uncertain. The genus is currently used as something of a catch-all for over 70 species of small characin. Most experts agree that a full revision is required, with the likely outcome that many species will be placed into new or different genera....

This species has something of a confused taxonomic past. The standard colour of the fish is a rather dull silvery grey, with a little colour in the fins. However in certain areas in nature, the species is sensitive to a particular type of trematode parasite. This causes a reaction in the skin of the fish, resulting in a spectacular metallic gold colouration formed by deposits of guanin. When initially discovered, these golden fish were mistakenly described as a new species, Hemigrammus armstron...

Not often seen for sale, but occasionally shows up as a contaminant among imports of more popular species. It's a subtly attractive species when in good condition. Like all Hemigrammus, the taxonomic status of this species is currently Incertae Sedis, meaning uncertain. The genus is currently used as something of a catch-all for over 70 species of small characin. Most experts agree that a full revision is required, with the likely outcome that many species will be placed into new or diff...

Despite its abundance in nature, this is not a commonly seen species in the hobby. When it is available, it's usually only as a contaminant among imports of other species. Like all Hemigrammus, the taxonomic status of this species is currently Incertae Sedis, meaning uncertain. The genus is currently used as something of a catch-all for over 70 species of small characin. Most experts agree that a full revision is required, with the likely outcome that many species will be placed into new...

The only time you'll probably come across this species is as a contaminant among imports of other species. This is a pity, as it's an attractive, peaceful little fish. Like all Hemigrammus, the taxonomic status of this species is currently Incertae Sedis, meaning uncertain. The genus is currently used as something of a catch-all for over 70 species of small characin. Most experts agree that a full revision is required, with the likely outcome that many species will be placed into ne...

This species is relatively rare in the aquarium hobby but is occasionally traded as 'red-tailed flag tetra'. It lends its name to the H. aghula group of closely-related species within the genus as proposed by Géry (1977, see below) of which members share the following characters which set them apart from other characids: lower half of the body dark, especially above the anal-fin; usually possessing a laterally-elongate humeral spot, more-or-less united wit...

Type locality is 'Rio das Mortes, some 100 km before its confluence with the Braço Maior of the Rio Araguaia (the western border of the Isla do Bananal). State of Mato Grosso.' The das Mortes is a principal tributary of the Araguaia, itself the major affluent of the rio Tocantins within the lower Amazon basin in central and western Brazil, although the full range of H. amandae within the Araguaia system is unclear.

Collected from small streams flowing through savanna grassland containing clear, light brown-coloured water with substrates of sand and gravel and little in the way of submerged or riparian vegetation. At the type locality pH varied between 5.8 – 6.3, GH and KH were both <1°, conductivity was 9-13 μs and temperature 24.7 – 27.2°C/76.6 – 80.1°F.

Widely-distributed throughout much of the Paraná and Uruguay river systems in Brazil, Paraguay, Argentina and Uruguay. Some records from Buenos Aires province, Argentina are now considered to refer to the congener H. togoi (Miquelarena and López, 2006) so the common vernacular name 'Buenos Aires tetra' may not...

A beautiful species that is very similar to a host of others in the genus, some of which are undescribed. The most frequently encountered of these in the trade is the rosy tetra, H. rosaceus. H. bentosi may also be seen for sale as 'Bentos' tetra' or 'White-tipped tetra'. As with the closely related Hemigrammus, the taxonomic status of all species in the genus Hyphessobrycon is currently Incertae Sedis, meaning uncertain. The genus is currently used as something of a ...

This species is also traded as 'blue flame', 'blue-red', and 'Colombian red fin' tetra, and was misidentified as H. ecuadorensis for several years prior to its description. Within the genus it appears to be most closely related to the Costa Rica endemic H. savagei Bussing, 1967 but differs in a number of characters as fol...

This species is very common in the aquarium trade and is also referred to as 'jewel', 'red minor', 'blood', or 'callistus' tetra. A number of selectively-bred ornamental strains have been developed, including 'metallic', 'long-finned', 'balloon' and 'fairy-fin'. Characiformes is among the most diverse orders of freshwa...

In the igarapés Baré and Ubim, western Brazil H. erythrostigma was collected from stretches measuring 5-7 metres in width with thick riparian and overhanging vegetation. The substrate was mostly composed of sand and the fish displayed a preference for boundary zones between shallow and deeper water. Conductivity was measured at 14.2-62.1 mS/cm³, dissolved oxy...

Its native rivers flow through one of the most densely-populated and industrialised parts of Brazil, and have suffered greatly from dam construction, water abstraction, pollution, introduced species (including over 40 exotic freshwater fishes in the rio Paraíba do Sul alone), and other forms of anthropogenic degradation. H. flammeus is now uncommon or even extinct across much of its putative natural range, and in Rio de Janeiro state only a handful of highly-fragmented populations remain at best, with the mo...

This species is occasionally available in the aquarium trade, although usually as bycatch among shipments of other fishes. It is sometimes traded as H. sp. 'Araguaia red', H. sp. 'Araguaia' or 'Schultz's tetra'.

This species has been a ubiquitous aquarium fish since its discovery, and is produced on a commercial basis in several countries, therefore wild fish are no longer collected. An ornamental albino form is sometimes available. Apart from its distinctive colour pattern, it can be identified from related species via the following combination of charac...

Its name appears to have been misapplied to similar-looking fishes occurring throughout much of the middle and lower Amazon in Brazil and Colombia, plus the rio Orinoco drainage in Colombia and Venezuela, and coastal systems of the Guianas. Some of these have been described as distinct species (e.g. Hyphessobrycon amapaensis Zarske & Géry 1998; H. eschwartzae García-Alzate, Román-Valencia & Ortega 2013; H. montagi Lima, Couthino & Woziacki 2014), whereas the identity of others remains un...

The most recent diagnosis appears to be that of Géry (1977), in which it was separated from other members of the group by the following combination of characters: dorsal-fin insertion at or slightly anterior to mid-body; caudal-fin brick red to orange-red; body depth fits less than 3.6 times in SL; head length fits 3.5-4.0 times in SL; caudal peduncle length u...

The majority of records pertain to the rio Guaporé (Río Iténez in Bolivia), the main affluent of the rio Mamoré, which drains the vast tropical wetland known as the Pantanal, and the upper rio Paraguai, which also has its headwaters in the Pantanal but flows in the opposite direction. The Guaporé and Paraguai are connected due to rising water levels during the annual wet season.

Hyphessobrycon melanostichos shares a number of similarities with Hyphessobrycon sp. Blue Ribbon. The former can be differentiated from the latter by a lighter set, more streamlined body , smaller humeral spot and also red colouring, which is not present on the Blue Ribbon tetra. Care and maintenance of the two species is however, virtually the same.

A beautiful species that's not often seen for sale in the hobby, and is usually a little more expensive than other tetras when available. This is mainly due to the wild caught nature of most specimens entering the trade. It can be a little delicate when initially imported, and is sensitive to deteriorating water conditions in general. As a result, it's not a good choice for the beginner, and should only be added to well-matured tanks. As with the closely related Hemigrammus, the ta...

This species is available on a relatively regular basis, although it's sometimes confused with the similar-looking congeners H. loretoensis and H. metae. It can be identified via the following combination of characters as per Géry (1977): elongate in shape with body depth fitting 3.8-3.9 times in its standard length; caudal peduncle narrow, its depth fitting 1.8 times in its length; head short, interorbital broad, snout short and rounded; dorsal-fin insertion an...

This species is a popular aquarium fish and is bred on a commercial basis in several countries, with a selectively-bred albino form also available. Wild specimens are rarely collected due to the low price of the farmed fish, but the origin of the commercial strain is questionable. The species was considered endemic to the rio Tapajós basin, but in the early 1990s fish appearing identical to the aquarium form were photographed in the...

This is the smallest of three similar-looking species most commonly-referred to as the 'bleeding heart' subgroup, the other two being H. erythrostigma and H. socolofi. All possess a reddish humeral spot which is not present in any other characid with other shared characters including possession of 6 -14 maxillary teeth, 7-9 scales above the lateral line, 5-7 scales below the lateral line and 26-33 anal fin rays.

A beautiful species that is very similar to a host of others in the genus, some of which are undescribed. The most common of these in the hobby is H. bentosi. The two are so similar in appearance that H. rosaceus was once considered to be a subspecies of H. bentosi. The easiest way to distinguish them is by the presence of a dark marking just behind the operculum in H. bentosi, which is lacking in H. rosaceus. As with the closely related Hemigrammus, the taxonomic status of all species in the...

This small species is a popular aquarium fish but there is some confusion surrounding its identity. Two colour forms have been traded, one of which also possesses tiny hooks on the fin rays. It can be distinguished from congeners by colour pattern; the body is rose-coloured, fins red with no black markings, and the ovoid humeral spot is prominent, measuring around half of the body depth.

This species is uncommon in the aquarium trade although its name is sometimes applied to other species. It was originally described in the monotypic genus Pseudopristella, and can be distinguished from the vaguely similar Pristella maxillaris by possession of a relatively large (vs. relatively small) humeral spot and having black pigmentation in the anal-fin restricted to the first ray (vs. a prominent distal blotch).

This species is an opportunistic omnivore by nature. The stomach contents of wild specimens from the rio Padauari were composed of fruit remains and aquatic insects with the former constituting 99% and latter 1% of all items consumed. Stomachs of individuals from igarapé Água Boa cont...

In the aquarium hobby the name Hyphessobrycon stegemanni has frequently been misapplied to a species that has been described as Hemigrammus ataktos Marinho, Dagosta, & Birindelli 2014. The reasons for this confusion are presumably that the two occur sympatrically in the rio Tocantins system and both possess a dark lateral stripe on the body.

At least two colour forms have been traded, one of which is more intensely-coloured and has been referred to as H. sweglesi 'red' or 'rubra'. The bright red pigmentation is retained in long-term captive specimens, suggesting that it is not considered to be an artefact of diet, but we suspect it might reflect conditions at the collection locality with the reddest fish putatively inhabiting blackwater and plainer forms clearwater environments. Zarske (2014) found the two forms to be identical in terms of morphology an...

Choice of décor is not especially critical although it tends to show better colouration when maintained in a well-furnished set-up with live plants and a dark substrate. A natural-looking arrangement might consist of a soft, sandy substrate with wood roots and bran...

This pretty little species can be seen for sale with various common names, including the 'blue emperor', 'regal' or 'royal' tetra. It's sometimes confused with the emperor tetra, Nematobrycon palmeri but can be easily distinguished as it possesses an adipose fin, whilst Nematobrycon species do not. The genus Inpaichthys is currently monotypic (contains only one species), and like other related genera such as Hyphessobrycon its taxonomic status is Incertae s...

This species is sometimes referred to as 'Sierra Leone dwarf characin' and is the only member of its genus which can be distinguished from other alestids by lacking dorsal scales anterior to the adipose-fin insertion. The family Alestidae is the most spe...

This species is one of a handful that closely resemble the popular red-eyed tetra, M. sanctaefilomenae. This species is seen much less often in the hobby than its relative however and is also known as the glassy tetra. The taxonomic status of all species in the genus Moenkhausia is currently Incertae Sedis, meaning uncertain. The genus is currently used as something of a catch-all for a large number of small characin species. Most experts agree that a full revision is required, with the likel...

Type locality is the Río Calima in Valle del Cauca department, western Colombia. The Calima is a major tributary within the Río San Juan system and N. lacortei is considered endemic to this drainage.

It was initially going to be described as Hyphessobrycon cardinalis by Myers and Weitzman (1956) but just before this was due to be published Schultz presented an alternative description in the hobbyist magazine 'Tropical Fish Hobbyist' and named the fish after the publication's founder, Dr. Herbert R. Axelrod. A significant proportion of the fish available in the aquarium trade are still wild caught or derive from community-led breeding projects such as Project Piaba in the middle Negro region, where this sp...

One of the most popular and instantly recognisable fishes in the aquarium hobby, this species has been selectively-bred to produce a number of additional strains including albino, 'golden' (leucistic), short-bodied, long-finned and 'diamond' (in which the dorsal surface is covered in reflective scales). Unfortunately years of commercial breeding have somewhat affected the genetic vigour of the ornamental strain meaning morphological defects an...

For aquarists perhaps more useful are the subtle differences in colour pattern with P. simulans differing from both P. innesi and P. axelrodi in possessing a greener (vs. bluer) lateral stripe which covers more (vs. less) of the eye/head and extends to the caudal-fin base (vs. terminating anterior to caudal-fin base), a lesser (vs. greater) amount of relatively duller (vs. brighter) red pigmentation on the flanks. The taxonomic history of all three species is complicated with earlier authors such as Géry (1960, 1977) ten...

This species has been traded as 'six-eyed tetra' in reference to its colour pattern comprising two dark spots on each flank plus the eye. Based on the extensive review of the genus by Lucena and Malabarba (2010), in which nine new species were described, P. tegatus can be told apart from congeners by the following combination of characters: lateral line incomplete with 8-13 perforated scales; laterally elongate humera...

There are only three species in this little known genus, all of which are rarely seen in the hobby. In 2007 an apparently undescribed Piabucus was seen on sale in the UK under the name "chin tetra", in reference to the black marking on the lower jaw of the fish....

P. maxillaris is one of the more popular tetras in the hobby, and is easily obtainable from most aquatic shops. It must rank among the very best choices for the newcomer to fishkeeping as it's peaceful, hardy and inexpensive. There's a selectively-bred "golden" strain available which is actually a semi-albino fish. Care is much the same as for the standard form. Currently the only species in the genus, in older literature it's often referred to by the now invalid name...

An attractive but not often seen species in the hobby. This is quite odd considering how common it is in many of its native habitats, where it is known as sardina. It has very strong pectoral muscles, and uses these to jump from the water to catch flying insects or to escape potential predators. It can make leaps of several metres in length....

This is the species most commonly sold as 'rummy-nose tetra' in aquatic outlets. A selectively-bred "golden" variant has also been produced by commercial breeders and is available from time-to-time. The natural form is very similar to both the "true" rummy-nose, Hemigrammus rhodostomus and the 'false' rummy-nose, Petitella georgiae in appearance. The 3 species can distinguished by several factors. The first is by the extent to which the red colouration...

This is the 'real' rummy-nose. The species most often sold as such is, in fact, the firehead tetra, H. bleheri. These 2 are very similar in appearance, as is the 'false' rummy-nose, Petitella georgiae. The 3 species can distinguished by several factors. The first, is by the extent to which the red colouration on the head of the fish extends into the body. H. bleheri is the only one of the 3 in which the red extends beyond the gill covers. The amount of red colouration on ...

This is one of three species commonly sold under the name "rummy-nose tetra". The commonest of these is the firehead tetra, Hemigrammus bleheri, whilst the "true" rummy-nose is Hemigrammus rhodostomus. All three are very similar in appearance, but can be distinguished by several factors. The first is by the extent to which the red colouration on the head of the fish extends into the body. H. bleheri is the only one of the 3 in which the red extends beyond the gill covers. ...

There are only three species in the genus Thayeria, of which T. boehlkei is by far the most popular in the hobby. Of its congeners, it was the type species T. obliqua that was originally given the common name of "penguin" fish or tetra, although T. boehlkei is usually sold under the same name (we've also seen it on sale as "hockeystick" tetra). The two are easy to tell apart, as in T. boehlkei the thick black stripe extending from the lower lobe of the travels laterally ...

There are only three species in the genus Thayeria, of which T. ifati is the least often seen in the hobby. This is a shame as it's a very pretty little fish. The holotype was collected from the upper Rio Maroni, close to the settlement of Gaa Kabaon on the French Guiana/Suriname border by the famous ichthyologist Jacques Géry in 1957. Géry also described the species in 1959. Of its congeners, it was the type species T. obliqua that was originally given the common name of &quo...

There are only three species in the genus Thayeria, of which Thayeria boehlkei is by far the most popular in the hobby. This is a shame, as T. obliqua is an equally attractive fish. It is the type species of the genus and was the original "penguin" fish or tetra, although Thayeria boehlkei is now usually sold under this name. T. sanctaemariae, described by Ladiges in 1951 is now classed as a synonym of T. obliqua. The species are easy to tell apart, as in Thayeria boehlkei the thic...

It differs from H. paucilepis by possessing 30-31 scales in the lateral row (vs. 28-29), 3 scales between the lateral line and anal-fin (vs. 4), 10 predorsal scales (vs. 9), ii, 9 dorsal-fin rays (vs. iii, 8), 4 maxillary teeth (vs. 1), and the distance between the dorsal-fi...

The two ponds where H. auca was collected were located on a sand bar deposited by the nearby Paraná river during the Pleistocene. At time of collection the substrates were composed of sand with submerged vegetation dominated by Egeria najas plus floating Eichhornia in marginal areas.

Known only from headwaters of the upper Paraná river basin in the Federal District plus the neighbouring state of Goiás, central Brazil. Type locality is 'Planaltina, Lagoa Fervedeira, Goiás, Brazil' with additional records existing mostly from the rio São Bartolomeu including the Bananal, Santa Maria-Torto and Gama tributary systems.

H. borealis is a member of the putative ‘H. heterorhabdus-group’ of closely-related species within the genus as proposed by Géry (1977). There are around 15 members characterised by a 'longitudinal pattern' consisting of a thin, usu...

This species superficially resembles the popular silver-tipped tetra, Hasemania nana, but can easily be told apart by presence (vs. absence) of an adipose-fin. It can be told apart from other Hyphessobrycon sp...

Endemic to the Paraguay, Paraná and Uruguay river drainages in Brazil, Paraguay, Argentina and Uruguay. The smallest of the three Aphyocharax species seen in the hobby, the redflank is relatively uncommon in the hobby in the aquarium trade. It is also known as the Green Fire Tetra.

This species is much rare in the hobby than its congener A. stigmatias, presumably a reflection of its more remote, restricted natural range. The red pigmentation on the body can vary in both extent and intensity, and apparently begins to fade when the fish have been maintained in aquaria for a period.

It's most similar to A. riesei but can be told apart by its more-elongate body (depth 4-5 times, vs. 3.1-3.5 times, in SL), live body colour (silvery yellow, vs. red) and suborbital bone structure (almost complete, vs. reduced). The third species, A. lindeae, is quite different posses...

Not imported all that often, this species seems to ship quite poorly. Once acclimatised, it usually proves quite hardy. A big shoal of adults can look stunning in the right setting.

The Brycon genus is large, at present containing over 50 species. A number of these are very similar, a couple of which (B. rubricauda and B. orbignyanus) resemble B. cephalus quite closely. However this one is the most common in nature and is likely to be the species seen on sale most often. Commonly known as the matrinxã in Brazil, it has an interesting life cycle, migrating twice per year over large distances according to the season. The first movement occurs at the start of...

This species can be distinguished from its congener C. macrolepidotus mainly by the red or yellow (as opposed to pink) caudal fin. In addition, it has yellow pectoral and pelvic fins and may also have some yellow colouration on the body. It is seen for sale as often as its relative, although it's quite abundant in nature....

This rarely seen Characin occasionally shows up in the trade, usually as a contaminant among shipments of more popular species. It's sometimes referred to as Asiphonichthys condei in older literature.

This unusual tetra is not often seen on sale in the trade, but is never particularly expensive when available. It is currently the only member in the genus although the family Glandulocaudinae actually contains about 20 member genera. None are especially popular aquarium fish, although a couple of Mimagoniates species are occasionally seen in the hobby. Almost all members of the Glandulocaudinae are characterised by the presence of secretory caudal glands in male fish, the particular structur...

The genus Exodon is currently monotypic, with this single species having uniquely designed teeth. These allow it to rip the scales from other species. It's an ideal choice for those wishing to keep a large shoal of a predatory species without possessing the massive amount of tank space needed for a shoal of piranha or similar. A tank full of these makes for a very colourful and active display....

This species is ubiquitous in most dealers' tanks and is one of the best choices for the newcomer to fishkeeping. All the fish sold in the trade have been captive bred and as such are unfussy regarding water chemistry and diet. The intense black colouration of juveniles does fade as they grow, but adult fish provide a subtle contrast to most other commonly kept species. It goes by several common names, including 'butterfly tetra', 'black skirt tetra' and simply '...

Not a common fish in the trade, most of the specimens imported come in as contaminants among batches of more popular species. Like all Hemigrammus, the taxonomic status of this species is currently Incertae Sedis, meaning uncertain. The genus is currently used as something of a catch-all for over 70 species of small characin. Most experts agree that a full revision is required, with the likely outcome that many species will be placed into new or different genera....

Not a common species in the hobby, although it does occasionally show up as a contaminant among imports of more popular species. Like all Hemigrammus, the taxonomic status of this species is currently Incertae Sedis, meaning uncertain. The genus is currently used as something of a catch-all for over 70 species of small characin. Most experts agree that a full revision is required, with the likely outcome that many species will be placed into new or different genera....

This species is ubiquitous in most dealers' tanks and is one of the best choices for the newcomer to fishkeeping, being both hardy and inexpensive. There is a selectively-bred albino form that has been produced for the trade and has become popular in recent years. Care for this is identical to the standard form. Like all Hemigrammus, the taxonomic status of this species is currently Incertae Sedis, meaning uncertain. The genus is currently used as something of a catch-all for over 70 spe...

Also known as the costello or green neon tetra, this species is seen much less often in the hobby than it used to be. It's occasionally confused with the common head and tail light tetra, H. ocellifer, as it resembles an elongated version of that species. Like all Hemigrammus, its taxonomic status is currently Incertae Sedis, meaning uncertain. The genus is currently used as something of a catch-all for over 70 species of small characin. Most experts agree that a full revision is require...

Also known as the beacon tetra, this species is ubiquitous in most dealers' tanks and is one of the best choices for the newcomer to fishkeeping. It's both hardy and inexpensive. It has been popular in the hobby for several decades. There is a selectively bred albino form that has become popular in recent years, for which care is identical to the standard fish. There is possibly also a subspecies, H. ocellifer falsus that lacks the red spot at the caudal peduncle (the gold-coloured tai...

Also known as the garnet or black wedge tetra, H. pulcher is deservedly popular in the hobby. It's both hardy and inexpensive, and is a good choice for the beginner. There was previously a subspecies, H. pulcher haraldi. This has now been reclassified as a distinct species, H. haraldi. Like all Hemigrammus, the taxonomic status of this species is currently Incertae Sedis, meaning uncertain. The genus is currently used as something of a catch-all for over 70 species of small characin. Mo...

Other species are frequently misidentified as H. ulreyi. The true fish is quite scarce in the hobby, but makes a very attractive addition to most tanks if you can find it. Like all Hemigrammus, the taxonomic status of this species is currently Incertae Sedis, meaning uncertain. The genus is currently used as something of a catch-all for over 70 species of small characin. Most experts agree that a full revision is required, with the likely outcome that many species will be placed into new or d...

This species is known from the rio Negro within the Brazilan Amazon basin and upper Río Orinoco system in Venezuela. Type locality is 'Rio Adujá, Rio Itú, tributary of middle Rio Negro, Amazonia, Brazil'.

I. geisleri is typically exported for the aquarium trade alongside the similar-looking congener I. adujai (Géry, 1970) but can be identified by presence (vs. absence in I. adujai) of a black lateral stripe on the body beneath the red stripe, and possession of 20-25 (vs. 28-34) anal-fin rays.

Widely-distributed throughout the Amazon, Orinoco, Essequibo, and Tocantins river systems in Brazil, Peru, Bolivia, Ecuador, Colombia, Venezuela, and Guyana. Type locality is 'Rio Cupai [= Rio Cupari], Rio Tapajós basin, Amazon River drainage, Pará State, Brazil'.

The colour of this species is often so intense that many who first see it for sale assume it to be artificially coloured. It is currently the only representative of the genus known.

Not to be confused with the other species commonly sold under the name "blue tetra", Knodus borki, this species is much scarcer in the hobby. It also makes a better resident of the community tank than its cousin, being less boisterous and lacking the tendency to nip the fins of other species....

A rather rare fish in the UK hobby. It occasionally shows up as a contaminant among imports of more popular species. The taxonomic status of all species in the genus Moenkhausia is currently Incertae Sedis, meaning uncertain. The genus is currently used as something of a catch-all for a large number of small characin species. Most experts agree that a full revision is required, with the likely outcome that many of these will be placed into new or different genera....

This species is something of an "ugly duckling", as it's usually sold as a fairly bland looking, silvery juvenile. Given time and a good diet it develops into a magnificent fish as an adult, that really does sparkle like a diamond. A big shoal of these in a planted tank looks stunning. The taxonomic status of all species in the genus Moenkhausia is currently Incertae Sedis, meaning uncertain. The genus is currently used as something of a catch-all for a large number of small ch...

This species can be found swimming in most dealers' tanks and is one of the best choices for the newcomer to fishkeeping. All the fish sold in the trade have been captive bred and as such are unfussy regarding water chemistry and diet. The taxonomic status of all species in the genus Moenkhausia is currently Incertae Sedis, meaning uncertain. The genus is currently used as something of a catch-all for a large number of small characin species. Most experts agree that a full revision is re...

This species can be found in most dealers' tanks and is one of the best choices for the newcomer to fishkeeping, being attractive, hardy and inexpensive. As virtually all the fish sold in the trade have been captive bred they tend to be relatively unfussy regarding water chemistry and diet. It's occasionally confused with N. lacortei, which is currently the only other species in the genus. They can easily be told apart by looking at the eye of the fish in question, as the male N. l...

The genus Prionobrama currently contains only one other valid species, P. paraguayensis. It is very similar in appearance to P. filigera, but lacks any red pigmentation in the caudal fin. It's probably never been imported for the hobby, although it may show up as occasional bycatch amongst shipments of more popular species. P. filigera can be easily distinguished from the "other" bloodfin tetra, Aphyocharax anisitsi by its more elongate body shape and the fact that it exhibits...

This species is not often available and is much sought after in the aquarium hobby where it's been traded as 'crystal rainbow tetra' and 'orange-tailed glass tetra'. It's also been referred to as a Heterocharax or Tyttocharax species in the past. It's currently the only member of its genus which is separated fr...

Known only from the rio Uaupés system in Brazil with type locality 'brook emptying into Igarape Yavuari River, tributary of River Uaupés, upper Negro River basin, 0°14'31"N, 68°03'48"W, Amazonas, Brazil'. The full extent of its range is unclear but additional populations may exist.

The common name of this species is derived from the Portugese dourado and refers to the beautiful golden colour of the fish. We've included this species on the site purely because there have been an alarming number of juvenile fish showing up in some aquatic stores and, as a result, in hobbyists tanks. This species is simply not suited to captive life in any respect. If you see one for sale, and they are undeniably an attractive fish, please don't be tempted to buy it. As responsib...

This species has been recorded from the Guaporé, Madeira, Branco, Trombetas, and Urubu river systems within the Amazon river basin, Brazil. Type locality is 'Igarapé Jatuarana, 5 kilometers above Samuel, Rio Guaporé, Rondonia, Brazil'.

H. eschwartzae is told apart from other laterally-striped Hyphessobrycon species from the Madre de Dios watershed by the following characters: 4 simple anal-fin rays (vs. 3 in other species listed); 13-15 dentary teeth (vs. 5-11); 6 teeth in the internal premaxillary ro...