List of Freshwater Aquarium Fish Species - Characins and Other Characiformes | Characins Characiformes

Characins and Other Characiformes

Tetras

Common name	Taxonomy	Size	Tank Type	Care Level	Remarks	Temp Range	Acceptable pH
Black phantom tetra	Hyphessobrycon megalopterus	4.5 cm (1.8 in)	Community	Easy	the black phantom tetra enjoy being in groups of 6 or more and a slightly shaded tank. Males may claim small territories and occasionally minor battles may occur. The Phantom tetra goes well with other tetras of similar size. They also prefer floating plants.
Black neon tetra	Hyphessobrycon herbertaxelrodi	4 cm (1.6 in)	Community	Easy	This fish is similar to the neon tetra other than coloration.
Black tetra	Gymnocorymbus ternetzi	5 cm (2.0 in)	Community	Easy	A highly spirited fish that may occasionally chase its own species as well as harass slow moving fish with long fins. This fish is very hardy and can stand a variety of water qualities. Disease is not a big problem with the black tetra. The black tetra is also known as the black skirt tetra. The female black tetra is more robust and larger than the male.
Bleeding heart tetra	Hyphessobrycon erythrostigma	6.5 cm (2.6 in)	Community	Intermediate	the bleeding heart tetra is distinguished by the small red spot on both sides of the fish. This fish is very prone to diseases, and can grow larger than most tetra species. It is not recommended for beginners.
Bloodfin tetra	Aphyocharax anisitsi	5 cm (2.0 in)	Community
Blue tetra	Knodus borki	5 cm (2.0 in)	Community
Bucktooth tetra	Exodon paradoxus	5 cm (2.0 in)			Exodon paradoxus will eat smaller fish and harass larger fish, lepidophage (scale eater).
Buenos Aires tetra	Hyphessobrycon anisitsi	7.5 cm (3.0 in)		Easy	Hyphessobrycon anisitsi has some reputation as a "fin nipper".
Cardinal tetra	Paracheirodon axelrodi	5 cm (2.0 in)	Community	Intermediate
Cave tetra, blind tetra	Astyanax mexicanus	12 cm (4.7 in)		Easy	cave tetra is the blind cave form of the Mexican tetra. The blind cave tetra is easy to care for and is hardy. The fish is born with eyes, but they quickly deteriorate leaving behind two scars where the eyes once were. The blind tetra needs to be in a shoal in order to show peaceful behavior, and to prevent fin nipping. Despite their lack of eyes, the blind cave tetra can easily avoid other fish and obstacles in the tank. This tetra prefers low to moderate lighting.
Congo tetra, Lufundi (native name)	Phenacogrammus interruptus	7.5 cm (3.0 in)	Community	Intermediate	Sufficiently peaceful for home aquariums, though it may bite fishes smaller than its size. It is more comfortable in indirect light. Over-head lighting is preferred and under no circumstances should light be directed at the front or rear glass.
Emperor tetra	Nematobrycon palmeri	5 cm (2.0 in)		Easy
Garnet tetra, pretty tetra	Hemigrammus pulcher	6.5 cm (2.6 in)	Community	Easy
Glowlight tetra	Hemigrammus erythrozonus	3.75 cm (1.48 in)	Community	Easy
Golden pristella tetra	Pristella maxillaris	5 cm (2.0 in)	Community	Easy
Green neon tetra	Paracheirodon simulans	2.5 cm (0.98 in)	Community	Intermediate
Head and tail light tetra	Hemigrammus ocellifer	4 cm (1.6 in)	Community	Easy
Lemon tetra	Hyphessobrycon pulchripinnis	5 cm (2.0 in)	Community	Easy	Very likely to jump out of the tank unless there are some floating aquatic plants
Neon tetra	Paracheirodon innesi	3.75 cm (1.48 in)	Community	Easy	the neon tetra is sensitive towards water quality and is susceptible to many freshwater diseases. However, the fish is very peaceful and will not attack another member of the tank. Females are larger than the males. Due to their small size, the neon tetra should not be kept with large fish. Neon tetras are also very delicate and any harassment they may receive can result in death. This can be prevented by putting them with other small community fish or fish known to ignore their tankmates. The neon tetra feels the most comfortable when in groups.
Penguin tetra, blackline penguinfish	Thayeria boehlkei	6.5 cm (2.6 in)
Red Eye tetra	Moenkhausia sanctaefilomenae	4 cm (1.6 in)	Community	Easy
Red phantom tetra		4.5 cm (1.8 in)	Community	Easy
Rummy-nose tetra	Hemigrammus rhodostomus	5 cm (2.0 in)	Community	Intermediate
Disk tetra	Myleus schomburgkii	5 cm (2.0 in)				5.0 - 7.0	23°C to 27°C
Serpae tetra	Hyphessobrycon serpae	4.5 cm (1.8 in)	Community	Easy	this fish may nip the fins of slow moving fish or fish smaller than it. It is best put with other large tetras or with fish of similar size or larger.
Yellow phantom tetra		4.5 cm (1.8 in)	Community	Easy

Hatchetfish

Common name	Taxonomy	Size	Tank Type	Care Level	Remarks
Common hatchetfish	Gasteropelecus sternicla		Community	Intermediate
Silver hatchetfish	Gasteropelecus levis
Marbled hatchetfish	Carnegiella strigata	5 cm (2.0 in)	Community	Intermediate	Peaceful and dwells at the top of the tank in schools. Rarely breeds in captivity. This powerful leaper can easily jump out of an aquarium, so keep only in a fully covered tank.
Black-winged hatchetfish	Carnegiella marthae	4 cm (1.6 in)	Community	Intermediate	Peaceful and dwells at the top of the tank in schools. The most hardy of all the hatchetfish, but not the most plentiful. Does not breed in captivity. This powerful leaper can easily jump out of an aquarium, so keep only in a fully covered tank.

Pencil fishes

Common name	Taxonomy	Picture	Size	Tank Type	Care Level	Remarks	Temp Range	Acceptable pH	Recommended water hardness
Beckford pencilfish	Nannostomus beckfordi		6 cm (2.4 in)	Community	Easy
Three-lined pencilfish	Nannostomus trifasciatus		5 cm (2.0 in)	Community	Intermediate	Males defend small territories. Otherwise a peaceful, beautiful species.

Headstanders

Common name	Taxonomy	Picture	Size	Tank Type	Care Level	Remarks	Temp Range	Acceptable pH	Recommended water hardness
Marbled Headstander	Abramites hypselonotus		13 cm (5.1 in)	Community	Intermediate	Keep either one headstander or a group of seven or more as they will fight amongst themselves in small groups.

Serrasalminae (pacus, piranhas, and silver dollars)

Common name	Taxonomy	Picture	Size	Tank Type	Care Level	Remarks	Temp Range	Acceptable pH	Recommended water hardness
Silver dollar	Metynnis argenteus		15 cm (5.9 in)			The name "silver dollar" may also refer to Metynnis hypsauchen, Metynnis maculatus, or other related fishes. It will chew and eat plants.
Red bellied pacu	Colossoma bidens		120 cm (3.9 ft)		Difficult	the red bellied pacu is a close relative of the piranhas, but without the sharp teeth and the aggression. However, care should be taken if interacting physically with the pacu as their powerful jaws can crush human bone. The Pacu is a peaceful fish that requires at least a 750 litre (200 gallon) tank when fully mature. It is omnivorous and can be put with large cichlids, but avoid smaller fish. Despite their similar appearance to piranhas, the pacu is not suited to eat meat very well, as their natural diet of nuts suggests. Be aware that this fish can grow to 1.2 metres (four feet) and the owner must be prepared to house them in a very large tank if they wish to keep the fish (750 l/200 gal minimum). Also be aware that this fish grows very fast, and can grow as much as one foot in the first year.	78–82 °F (26–28 °C)