Para Tetra 3cm

Para Tetra

The Para Tetra is a stunning, natural-looking tetra that would be the perfect way of adding some life and gentle movement to an aquarium. These small fish are fairly easy to take care of and aside from being a great community fish, Para Tetras are also a fantastic species to keep in a species-only black water aquarium.

Para Tetras are elegantly simple in their beauty, their body colour is a translucent grey with a shimmering gold and green belly area. This metallic colour is also found in the gill plate and tail area. To contrast this the ventral and tail fin are jet black with white tips that really highlight the fish. Naturally, these fish come from blackwater streams, thriving among the dense vegetation and tannin-stained waters, making them ideal for aquascapes that emulate these environments. The relaxed and elegant nature of these fish also makes them the perfect complementary species for high tech planted aquascapes. 

Breeding Para Tetras tends to be a little more challenging when compared to other tetra species as they are more secretive fish. To get the best success it is best to create a breeding aquarium with dense leaf litter or spawning mops. These are egg-scattering fish where females will scatter eggs through the aquarium and males follow by fertilizing. Females tend to be rounder-bodied compared to males however there are no direct distinguishing factors. The wild origin of Para tetras is South America.

Tank Recommendations for your Para Tetra

Being a very small and relatively easy to care for fish the para tetra can be kept in nano aquariums with the minimum being a 40-litre system. These fish can be kept in a very affordable aquarium setting as well with just a simple sponge filter, low-power lighting, some moss, and simple decor. A sand or gravel substrate would be fine for these tetras as well as a lot of plant growth which not only makes them contrast really well but also makes them more comfortable in the aquarium to swim out in the open. Para Tetras are soft water fish meaning they require a low PH. They can be kept in PH as low as 6 and will even look stunning in a black water aquarium setting.

Suitable Tank Buddies

The Para Tetra is an extremely peaceful fish that displays no aggression at all. They may be quite shy which is why it is recommended to keep them in relatively large schools. They can also be shy and slow which is why it is better to avoid larger fast-moving fish.

Usually Compatible

Emperor Tetras, Plecos, Corydora, Shrimp, Bolivian Rams, and other small community fish.  

Sometimes Compatible

Para Tetras can be a relatively slow fish so any fin nipping species or fish which may outcompete them for food such as Giant Danios, Tiger Barbs, Angelfish or Torpedo Barbs. 

Rarely Compatible

Large and aggressive species such as Rainbow Sharks, Raphael Catfish, larger mouthed community fish may prey on the tetras. 

Feeding your Neon Tetra

Para Tetras are a very easy fish to feed. They will take a wide range of pellets, flakes, and frozen foods. Just like any fish though they should be fed a varied diet with a mix of different foods. The ideal diet would be a good quality micro slow sinking pellet or crushed flake, supplemented with frozen bloodworms or even live foods like baby brine shrimp.