Rainbow Tetra

Looks how to spot one

Slim characin (tetra) without an adipose fin, with filament-like tail rays

A slim tetra that, like its cousin the emperor tetra, has a three-lobed tail with thread-like rays. Males have bright red eyes, longer fins and vivid iridescent colours, while females have blue-green eyes and a fuller body.2

Personality what they are like

Generally peaceful, though adult males claim small territories and spar with each other. In a mixed group with plenty of plants and cover this behaviour stays harmless and shows off their colours.21

Daily activity how busy a day looks

Moderately active; it prefers calm water with little current and enjoys exploring among plants and wood.2

Grooming and care the hands-on bits

Easy to look after in soft, clean water. Soft substrate, wood and live plants help it show its natural colours.21

Home where they are happiest

Tank of at least 120 x 30 x 30 cm (about 108 litres). Water 20-28 °C (FishBase gives 23-27 °C), pH 5.0-7.2, hardness 1-10 dGH. A blackwater-style setup with plants and wood suits it.21

Food basics what goes in the bowl

Probably an opportunistic omnivore in the wild. It takes good dried foods and thrives with regular small live or frozen foods such as bloodworm, Daphnia and brine shrimp.21

Company who they like around

Keep a mixed-sex group of at least 8-10. Good with similar-sized characins, catfish and non-predatory cichlids.21

The story where it all began

Weitzman and Fink described the rainbow tetra in 1971 and named it after Rosario LaCorte, an American aquarist and collector. It is one of only two species in the genus Nematobrycon, both found only in western Colombia.213

Recognised by the official bits

IUCN Red List

Data Deficient (assessed 9 October 2014)1

FishBase

Used commercially in the aquarium trade1