Tetras have long been the backbone of the aquarium hobby, so it’s not unusual for Apistogramma owners to want to add a large school of these awe-inspiring fish to their tanks.
However, can Apistogramma be kept with tetras? The short answer is yes, but the long answer depends on which type of tetras you choose and the size of your aquarium. Some tetra species can make great tank mates for Apistogramma.
Keep reading and find out what makes this species so special, as well as what type of tetra to pair with Apistogramma. You may be surprised at the beauty and peacefulness of this aquarium setup!
Compatibility of Keeping Apistogramma and Tetras Together
Tetras have many advantages when it comes to pairing them with the territorial and often aggressive Apistogramma species.
Mid to Top-dwelling
The first is that most tetras spend the majority of their time hanging out around the middle to the top of the aquarium. Unlike plecos, this leaves plenty of room for the Apistogramma to claim the bottom as their own.
Compact Size
South American tetras are known for their compact size, making them well-suited to smaller aquariums and community tanks. Ensure you go with a larger number of at least 6-12 fish that won’t get eaten.
Enjoy the Similar Water Conditions
What’s also great about tetras is that they share the same water conditions as Apistogramma, meaning they prefer soft and acidic water. In fact, they often cohabitate in the same waterways in nature.
If you plan to recreate a blackwater biotope for your A. nijsseni (A180) or A. panduro (A183, A184, and A185), you’ll want to look for some tetras from the same regions that are surrounded by dense forest canopies, resulting in very little light getting through.
While tetras and Apistogramma that inhabit blackwater conditions can gradually acclimate to harder water, don’t expect them to reproduce.
Great Dither Fish
Even with plenty of hiding spots and lots of floating plants, some timid or territorial Apistos may still feel quite uncomfortable and hide a lot. A group of at least six outgoing tetras around the middle or top of the tank will calm them down and encourage them to swim around happily.
There’s no better way to diffuse tension and aggression from a bully than adding dither fish!
Peaceful Nature
As docile schooling fish, tetras thrive in community tanks as long as the water conditions are favorable and at least half a dozen or more of their own kind are present.
Inexpensive Price
As regards to price, keeping tetras with Apistogramma is definitely a cost-effective option. These South American tetras are very popular and readily available everywhere. You can easily find schools of tetra species for less than $1 per fish in most pet stores, making them an ideal choice for any budget.
Best Tetras for Apistogramma
The locations where many Apistogramma species are collected are known for their blackwater conditions. The water in these areas is very soft, no more than 5 to 8 dGH, and slightly acidic with a pH of approximately 5.0 to 6.5 due to the leaves, roots, and other decayed plant materials.
Still, many tetras live communally with these Apistos in these habitats. Here are the top five species that are fairly hardy and will provide you with a more active community aquarium to enjoy.
Neon Tetras (Paracheirodon innesi)
A cheap staple tetra to start off our list is Paracheirodon innesi, also known as the Neon Tetra or neon fish. It originated from the blackwater and clearwater streams and tributaries in the Amazon and Orinoco River basins.
They have gained popularity in recent years in the aquarium trade; today, most Neon Tetras are commercially bred on farms, making them even more accessible and affordable (ranging from $1-$2 per fish).
| Scientific Name: | Paracheirodon innesi |
| Common Name: | Neon tetra, neon fish |
| Origin: | Orinoco and Amazon river basins in Brazil, Columbia, and Peru. |
| Family: | Characidae |
| Max Size: | 1.5 inches (4 cm) |
| Social: | Peaceful |
| Tank Level: | Middle |
| Care: | Intermediate |
| Lifespan: | 5 to 10 years |
| pH: | 6.0– 7.0 |
| Temperature: | 68-79° F (20-26 °C) |
| Hardness: | up to 10 degrees |
| Diet: | Omnivore |
| Tank Size (Min): | 10 gallons |
Green Neon Tetras (Paracheirodon simulans)
The Green Neon Tetra (Paracheirodon simulans is another dazzling tetra species that looks very similar to the Neon Tetra; however, it has less red on the lower body and shows more blue and green instead.
This micro species is found in extremely acidic waters with a pH of around 3.5 to 5.0. They make great additions to the nano Apistogramma tank and bring a bit of color and a sense of activity to the community aquarium.
| Scientific Name: | Paracheirodon simulans |
| Common Name: | False neon tetra, Green neon tetra, and Blue neon tetra. |
| Origin: | The Orinoco River and the Río Negro in Brazil |
| Family: | Characidae |
| Max Size: | 1 inch (2.5 cm) |
| Social: | Peaceful |
| Tank Level: | Middle |
| Care: | Intermediate |
| Lifespan: | 2 to 3 years |
| pH: | 3.0– 6.5 |
| Temperature: | 74 -82° F (23-28°C) |
| Hardness: | up to 10 degrees |
| Diet: | Omnivore |
| Tank Size (Min): | 10 gallons |
Black Neon Tetras (Hyphessobrycon herbertaxelrodi)
Like the Green Neon Tetra, the Black Neon Tetra is very popular and widely available at local fish stores everywhere. These fish are more tolerant of hard and neutral water than other tetra species, and they do well with pH levels ranging from 4.5 to 8.
| Scientific Name: | Hyphessobrycon herbertaxelrodi |
| Common Name: | Black tetra, neon tetra, black neon |
| Origin: | The Paraguay basin of southern Brazil |
| Family: | Characidae |
| Max Size: | 1.5 inches (4 cm) |
| Social: | Peaceful |
| Tank Level: | Middle |
| Care: | Beginner |
| Lifespan: | 3 to 5 years |
| pH: | 5.5– 7.5 |
| Temperature: | 73 -81° F (23-27°C) |
| Hardness: | up to 6 degrees |
| Diet: | Omnivore |
| Tank Size (Min): | 10 gallons |
Ember Tetras (Hyphessobrycon amandae)
If you naturally gravitate towards vibrant fish with a solid color, you should consider the Ember Tetra. This species has a flaming red-orange body that is slightly translucent with a bright bronze hue.
This fish is a tad smaller than the Neon Tetra, and it is also well known for its sociable nature, making it a great candidate as dither fish in an Apistogramma tank.
| Scientific Name: | Hyphessobrycon amandae |
| Common Name: | black neon tetra, Von Rio tetra, and lemon tetra. |
| Origin: | The Rio Tocantins, in central and western Brazil |
| Family: | Characidae |
| Max Size: | 0.8 inch (2 cm) |
| Social: | Peaceful |
| Tank Level: | Middle |
| Care: | Beginner |
| Lifespan: | 3 to 5 years |
| pH: | 5.0– 7.5 |
| Temperature: | 72 – 82° F (22 -28°C) |
| Hardness: | up to 10 degrees |
| Diet: | Omnivore |
| Tank Size (Min): | 10 gallons |
Cardinal Tetra (Paracheirodon axelrodi)
We cannot forget about another crown jewel of tetras, the Cardinal Tetra. This fish is often mistaken for a Neon Tetra due to their similar appearance.
However, the distinguishing trait of the Cardinal Tetra is a red line that runs along the entire lower part of its body, whereas the Neon Tetra only has a red line from the middle of its body to its tail. They will display the best colors when provided with very soft, acidic water.
| Scientific Name: | Paracheirodon axelrodi |
| Common Name: | Cardinal tetra, red neon, roter neon |
| Origin: | The upper Orinoco and the Rio Negro tributary |
| Family: | Characidae |
| Max Size: | 2 inches (5 cm) |
| Social: | Peaceful |
| Tank Level: | Middle to Top |
| Care: | Intermediate |
| Lifespan: | up to 4 years |
| pH: | 4.5 – 6.5 |
| Temperature: | 73 – 82° F (23 -28°C) |
| Hardness: | up to 10 degrees |
| Diet: | Omnivore |
| Tank Size (Min): | 20 gallons |
True Rummy-nose Tetras (Hemigrammus rhodostomus)
Arguably one of the most striking small tetras, the true Rummy-nose Tetra is, as its name suggests, distinguished by its red face and shiny, silvery body. They are quite expensive compared to some of the other tetras, ranging from $2.50 to $5 per fish, depending on the store.
This bold fish comes from the blackwater rivers and tributaries of the Rio Orinoco and the lower Amazon basin, and it is more sensitive to water parameters than other tetras.
H. rhodostomus is rivaled by Petitella georgiae (false rummy-nose tetra), for which it is often mistaken. It’s easy to tell the two apart; In the false rummy-nose tetra, the black stripe in the middle of the tail continues onto the rear half of the body, resembling a short lateral line.
| Scientific Name: | Hemigrammus rhodostomus |
| Common Name: | True Rummy-nose Tetra |
| Origin: | Lower Amazon River basin and Orinoco River basin |
| Family: | Characidae |
| Max Size: | 2 inches (5 cm) |
| Social: | Peaceful |
| Tank Level: | Middle to Top |
| Care: | Intermediate |
| Lifespan: | 3 to 5 years |
| pH: | 5.5 – 7.4 |
| Temperature: | 74 – 84° F (23 -29°C) |
| Hardness: | up to 8 degrees |
| Diet: | Omnivore |
| Tank Size (Min): | 20 gallons |
Do’s & Don’ts When Keeping Tetras and Apistogramma Together
The care requirements for these two fish are quite similar. If you decide to keep tetras with Apistogramma, this list of dos and don’ts will help you keep them happy and healthy in your home aquarium.
Dos:
- Keep tetras in a group of at least six! As with all schooling fish, tetras must be kept in a group to feel safe and thrive.
- Give them a dense mass of plants: floating plants are greatly appreciated. Not only do they offer shaded areas and shelters, but they also serve as a background that helps to make your fish colors pop.
- Add some Indian Almond Leaves and soft woods to the tank: They will release tannins into the fish tank water and help reduce the pH, bringing it closer to that of their natural habitats.
- Keep the lighting subdued: They enjoy low-light habitats. Besides floating plants, put a dark background behind the aquarium to make them feel even more secure.
- Feed them a varied diet: They appreciate live and frozen foods. Since Apistogramma are bottom feeders, ensure they get enough nutrition.
- Test the water parameters regularly: Like any other fish, they are sensitive to poor water quality. Make sure you do regular tests of the parameters and keep everything within acceptable levels, especially in small-to-mid-sized tanks.
Don’ts:
- Don’t add tetras to a breeding tank: Tetras can be quite boisterous, and the last thing you want is to disturb a pair of Apistogramma that are trying to breed. Additionally, they can be potential predators of your Apistos’ eggs and fry.
- Don’t Keep X-ray Tetras with Apistos: They stay nearer the bottom and are great egg/fry hunters.
- Don’t overstock: Tetras are shoaling fish, which means they should always live in groups of at least 6 individuals. If your tank is too small for that many fish, it’s better not to add them.
- Don’t overfeed: Overfeeding is the major cause of water pollution in aquariums, so be sure to keep your feeding sessions short and sweet.
In conclusion
Tetras can make a great addition to an Apistogramma display tank if they are properly managed and cared for. With the right balance of plants and decorations, these two species can coexist peacefully and bring lots of color to your tank.
