Gold Leaf Aquarium
Practical Fishkeeping|October 2017

This community tank is based around a Guyana stream and includes some of the most popular fish in the hobby.

Tai Strietman
Gold Leaf Aquarium

Walk through any aquarium store that sells fish and you will, without doubt, encounter at least one species of tetra, possibly dozens. They fill the shops and our tanks, and just when we think that they are becoming cliché, they provide us with a new species, or an old one erupts into fashion again. It’s a safe bet that many beginners start with a few tetras and many of the ‘elite’ freshwater enthusiasts will spend serious money on a shoal of rare and unusual tetras without batting an eyelid because hey, cool tetras!

A tetra for everyone

One of the charms of tetras, apart from the variety of species, shapes and colours, is that they are for the most part suitable for smaller to mid-range aquaria. Got a nano tank? Ember tetras! Something mid range? A nice shoal of Cardinals! Need to fill a big display tank? How about some hefty Long-finned tetras?

Mostly, they tend to do better in larger groups of their own species and the aquarist who keeps them this way will be rewarded with a more natural dynamic behaviour. There are a few exceptions, such as Rathbun’s tetras, Aphyocharax rathbuni, which are usually found in groups of around seven in the wild, or often mixed with other species. The point is, even a shoal comprising several species is better than a few nervous individuals, darting from cover to cover.

This story is from the October 2017 edition of Practical Fishkeeping.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.

This story is from the October 2017 edition of Practical Fishkeeping.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.

MORE STORIES FROM PRACTICAL FISHKEEPINGView All
Practical Fishkeeping

The Emperor's Other Clothes

While the Emperor tetra has been a popular aquarium fish for several decades, it has a close cousin whose gorgeous glittering colours arguably should have made it the favourite of the family…

time-read
6 mins  |
Spring 2017
Practical Fishkeeping

Give The Snake A Break!

When it comes to snakeheads, myths and misinformation abound. Here are some of the key facts that people get wrong when considering these fascinating fish, including that one about size…

time-read
7 mins  |
Spring 2017
Practical Fishkeeping

You Can Grow Plants

If you’re a newcomer, or you’re on a small budget, you might think creating an attractive planted set-up is out of your reach. But with the right choice of plants and a few key aquascaping techniques, anyone can have a beautiful aquarium!

time-read
4 mins  |
Spring 2017
Fast Flow Flat Cats
Practical Fishkeeping

Fast Flow Flat Cats

A team from the guyane wild fish society goes in search of lithoxus catfish among rapids in french guiana, south america.

time-read
8 mins  |
March 2017
Oata Bridges The Hobby Gap To Address New Legislation Proposals
Practical Fishkeeping

Oata Bridges The Hobby Gap To Address New Legislation Proposals

In July, OATA chief executive Dominic Whitmee hosted the first ‘Fishkeeping stakeholder meeting’ at the DEFRA headquarters in London. Practical Fishkeeping’s Nathan Hill was there to offer his input. 

time-read
6 mins  |
October 2017
(Stop The) Fight Club
Practical Fishkeeping

(Stop The) Fight Club

African cichlids are notorious for turning on each other, but can enrichment broker in a peace treaty? One college decided to look into it — with surprising results.

time-read
6 mins  |
October 2017
Gold Leaf Aquarium
Practical Fishkeeping

Gold Leaf Aquarium

This community tank is based around a Guyana stream and includes some of the most popular fish in the hobby.

time-read
8 mins  |
October 2017
The Beast Of Suriname
Practical Fishkeeping

The Beast Of Suriname

Into your catfish? Check out this selection of rarities spotted on a recent shoptour, beginning with the beauty below — a fish we think someone should snap up for the ultimate river biotope.

time-read
2 mins  |
April 2017
Wrasse With Class!
Practical Fishkeeping

Wrasse With Class!

Sneaky, cockerel and cryptic — meet a group of small, colourful wrasse and discover why it’s not just their names that make them interesting!

time-read
5 mins  |
March 2017
Deal With Cuts, Scrapes And Minor Injuries
Practical Fishkeeping

Deal With Cuts, Scrapes And Minor Injuries

Tetra’s Dave Hulse looks at how the skin and fins of your fish can become damaged and what to do to help the healing process.

time-read
4 mins  |
March 2017