Tetras

If you want tetras, have the tank in operation for several months as this makes the tank water soft and slightly acidic which are the water quality tetras require.

Probably the most popular of the characins are the tetras and the most popular tetra is the Neon Tetra. Speaking of the Neon, let's talk about it right now.

Neon Tetras

These fish at first may be hard to distinguish between the Cardinal Tetra. The difference is the Cardinal has an all red belly. The Neon's belly is only about half red. The Cardinal Tetra is also a half-inch larger than the Neon.

These peaceful fish are recommended for most community tanks. These fish do best if there are five to seven of them. If one of these fish is under good conditions, they can live up to more than ten years!

Care:

pH: tolerates 8.0, but prefers 7.0----- dH: tolerates 30 degrees, but prefers 10 degrees----- Temperature: 68-79 degrees Farenheit----- Foods: freeze-dried foods, well- rinsed brine shrimp, small live foods, and small flake foods.

Cardinal Tetras

Care:

Note: these fish are highly recommended.

pH: between 4.6- 6.2 (optimal is 5.8)----- dH: 4 degrees----- Temperature: 73-81 degrees Farenheit----- Foods: small live foods, flakes, and freeze-dried foods.

Serpae or Blood Tetras

A nicely-colored fish, the Serpae Tetra is not as peaceful as other members of its genus but prefers a school.

Care:

pH: 5.8-7.5 degrees----- dH: to 25 degrees----- Temperature: 72- 82 degrees Farenheit----- Foods: (note: if not given a good enough diet, you may find some of your Serpae Tetras with missing eyes.) flakes, live foods, and freeze-dried foods.

Bleeding- heart Tetras

(I don't have a picture of a Bleeding-heart tetra at this point)

I liked these fish for a while. They used to be confused with Hyphessobrycon rodwayi. The Hyphessobrycon erythrostigma's (Bleeding-heart Tetra's) care is similar to Hyphessobrycon bentosi (Bentos Tetra) but you must pay much more attention to its water quality.

Care:

pH: 5.6-7.2----- dH: to 12 degrees----- Temperature: 73-82 degrees Farenheit----- Foods: live foods, flake foods, as well as Freeze-dried foods.

Emperor Tetra

(I don't have a picture of an Emperor Tetra)

The Emperor Tetra is perfect for tyro aquarists. If you have a well-maintained aquarium you may be seeing your Emperor Tetras living as long as six years. They're are three p's describing the Emperor Tetra. Those p's are: peaceful, pretty, and popular.

Care:

pH: 5.0- 7.8 (6.5)----- dH: to 25 degrees (10 degrees)----- Temperature: 73-81 degrees Farenheit-----

Foods: live foods and flakes.

Bibliography

Rudiger, Riehl, Dr., and Baensch, Hans A.Aquarium Atlas. Shelburne: Microcosm Ltd., 1997.

Bailey, M. and Sandford, G.The Ultimate AquariumNew York: Smithmark Publishers, 1995.

The music being played now is called "I am King Henry the Eigth I am" done by the Herman's Hermits. Thanks to Barb Burman for this song info.