How to Care for African Tetras

Raising fish in home aquariums is a relaxing hobby that offers a chance to educate oneself on exotic fish breeds. The African Tetras, often called the Congo Tetra, is a smaller variety of aquarium fish that requires little specialized treatment in order to thrive.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Aquarium
• Water
• PH Tester
• Plants
• Driftwood
• Fish
• Heat

1. Keep African Tetras in a medium size tank with an average water temperature of 75 to 80 degrees Fahrenheit. A tank PH of 6.0-7.5 provides adequate water quality for the Tetras.

2. Realize that Tetras are schooling fish that need to be in a group. 12 or more Tetras in one tank are recommended. Some experts' state that 6 Tetras in one community is adequate but double this number ensure the fish thrive.

3. Place plants, driftwood, statues and other adornments in the tank to allow Tetras allowing them to explore and hide in their territory. As Tetras are very active fish, the more there is to do, the happier the fish will be. An aquarium should be a playground for its inhabitants.

4. Understand that Tetras are enthusiastic feeders and a mixed breed tank may require additional food. Tetras are greedy and additional food at dinnertime ensures that everyone in the aquarium gets enough to eat. Underfed fish have a tendency to eat each other.

5. Keep Tetras separate from extremely large or aggressive breeds of fish. Tetras are peaceful fish.

6. Breed Tetras in a separate tank with softer water and lighting to ensure success. Tetras scatter their eggs haphazardly and most are apt to be eaten in the main aquarium.

7. Feed Tetras with color enhancing flakes supplemented with bloodworms and brine shrimp.

[ciarrasmommy]

on 4/5/2009 I love tetras! I think that they are one of the prettiest, smallest.. yet hardiest fish that I have ever seen! I would get one but I'm afraid that my black shark would eat it! Lol.. Great article. 5 Stars to you!