Tetra Fish Types - Varieties of Tetras

The emperor tetra is one of the most striking and prized tetra varieties by aquarium enthusiasts. Native to Colombia, this fish stands out for its metallic blue coloration and elegant lyre-shaped caudal fin. Males are usually more colorful and have longer fins than females. They can reach between 4 and 5 cm in length.

They are peaceful fish which make them ideal for community aquariums. They prefer soft and slightly acidic waters, with temperatures between 73.4-80.6ºF (23-27ºC). They are omnivorous fish and accept a varied diet that includes fish flakes, live foods and frozen foods.

Emperor tetras are just one of the fish which are compatible with angelfish. Take a look at our guide to the best angelfish tank mates to learn some others.

The neon tetra is perhaps the most iconic of all tetra fish. With its bright blue stripe and red belly, this small fish is a favorite in community aquariums. They provide some color without taking up much space, even if they need to be kept in groups of around 10 individuals. This is because they are a gregarious fish which carry out shoaling behavior.

Endemic to the Amazon basin, neon tetras need to have a good amount of plant life in their tank. They are omnivorous and fare well on fish food flakes, but they also enjoy small invertebrates and larvae.

This type of tetra species is very similar to the neon tetra, but can be distinguished by its longer red stripe running along its body. It is native to the Orinoco and Negro River basins. Like most tetras, it grows between 3 and 5 cm in length.

They are active and peaceful fish that prefer to swim in schools. They require acidic water (pH 4.5-6.5) and temperatures between 73.4-80.6ºF (23-27ºC). They are omnivorous and enjoy a varied diet that includes live and frozen foods.

Discover more types of omnivorous animals with our related guide.

While not actually a type of bioluminescent fish, the glowlight tetra can appear as if it is indeed glowing. This is thanks to an iridescent stripe of orange which runs along their body, as well as being present on some of their fins. This orange coloration is displayed in contrast with silver scales. It's an excellent choice for community aquariums due to its tranquility.

Glowlight tetras prefer slightly acidic to neutral waters and temperatures which can be a little warmer than neon tetras. Their lighting should be relatively low, so we should not have bright lights on the tank.

So-called due to their bright coloration on their scales, the lemon tetra is an amazing addition if you want to brighten up your freshwater aquarium. Tetra fish types tend to have very slender bodies, but the lemon tetra is a little broader. The amount of yellow which can be seen varies depending on the light and even the individual. They also have contrasting black stipes on their fins.

As with all tetra varieties, they are shoaling fish. A minimum of 6 individuals need to be kept in an aquarium, but they also fare well with other types of tetras and fish such as certain corydoras. They should be given live food in addition to fish flakes.

Also known simply as the phantom tetra, the black phantom tetra has a less colorful, but not less striking, appearance in fish tanks. They are known for their dark body and black fins which lend a little mystery to your fish community. They have a visible black patch with silver edging on their sides.

Male black phantom tetras are generally larger than their female counterparts. Females also have a slightly different coloration with reddish fins, except for the dorsal fin. Males can even change color, making themselves darker when they want to show dominance. These males can be quite territorial, so we will need to be careful when keeping them with other types of tetras.

Our related article shares some other incredible animals that change color.

This tetra species has more names than most other tetra types, including the callistus tetra, red minor tetra or jewel tetra. It is characterized by its bright red body and a black spot near the gills. Native to South America, it is an active fish and can be somewhat territorial, so it is recommended to keep it in large groups.

These fish measure between 4 and 5 cm and prefer slightly acidic waters. It is important to know they swim in short bursts of energy, so we should not confuse this with behavioral issues. In fact, it is only when they stop swimming like this that we should be concerned with their welfare.

The Congo tetra is one of the largest and most colorful types of tetra fish, with iridescent scales reflecting shades of blue, red and gold. Its distinctive fins are somewhat feathered in appearance and often droop down when they are idling in the water.

Due to being types of large tetra fish, Congo tetras need a larger fish tank. Like the black phantom tetra, the Congo tetra can change color. Males do so when trying to attract a female during mating. They also extend their drooping fins.

Size is not the only issue when choosing fish for your aquarium. Hygiene is also very important. Take a look at the best clean-up animals for your aquarium to learn more.

Known for its shiny scales that reflect light like diamonds, the diamond tetra is native to Venezuela. This fish is an excellent choice for community aquariums.

There is some sexual dimorphism in diamond tetras, with males having purple dorsal fins and females having yellow dorsal fins. While they are carnivorous, they accept a varied diet that includes dried, frozen and live foods.

The black tetra is a popular fish in aquariums and stands out for its two black stripes on its body. Native to South America, this fish is ideal for community aquariums. They have many other common names, such as the petticoat tetra, black widow tetra and the blackamoor.

They measure between 5 and 6 cm and are peaceful fish that should be kept in schools. They prefer neutral waters with temperatures between 71.6-78.8ºF (22-26ºC). Their diet includes dried and frozen foods and small invertebrates.

As we've mentioned, there are many varieties of tetra fish. Although we've highlighted the most popular, below is a list of more types of tetra fish which can be kept in home aquariums:

• Ember tetra (Hyphessobrycon amandae)
• Red phantom tetra (Hyphessobrycon sweglesi)
• X-ray tetra (Pristella maxillaris)
• Buenos Aires tetra (Hyphessobrycon anisitsi)
• Candy cane tetra (Hyphessobrycon bentosi)
• Silvertip tetra (Hasemania nana)
• Royal tetra (Inpaichthys kerri)
• Columbian tetra (Hyphessobrycon columbianus)
• Penguin tetra (Thayeria boehlkei)
• Firehead tetra (Hemigrammus bleheri)
• Gold tetra (Hemigrammus rodwayi)
• Green neon tetra (Paracheirodon simulans)

Ensuring harmonious coexistence in a fish tank is important to ensure a long life. Take a look at our article on how long aquarium fish live for more information on this subject.

If you want to read similar articles to Tetra Fish Types - Varieties of Tetras, we recommend you visit our Comparisons category.