Family: Characidae
Silver tetra, Silver dollar tetra — a Characidae from South America, peaceful mid-water shoaler; confidence comes in numbers. Reaches 6–8.8 cm; groups of 8 minimum; more is visibly better. 23–27 °C.
Ctenobrycon spilurus is a Characidae from South America. In the wild it prefers blackwater streams and flooded forest; in the aquarium it stays peaceful mid-water shoaler. Plan on 6–8.8 cm of adult fish at 23–27 °C. In a community tank it pairs well with Small Corydoras.
Difficulty: moderate. Peaceful mid-water shoaler; confidence comes in numbers. Groups of 8 minimum; more is visibly better.
Aim for 23–27 °C. Heater for stable tropical warmth; 23–27 °C recorded range.
Expect 6–8.8 cm as an adult, living middle of the water column. A 93 L tank or larger gives it room.
Small omnivore; quality flakes and small frozen foods. It forages naturally over dark sand and leaf litter, so let some food reach the bottom.
Peaceful mid-water shoaler; confidence comes in numbers; groups of 8 minimum; more is visibly better. Good company: Small Corydoras — Share the lower water peacefully. Keep away from Large or predatory fish — Tetras are snacks.
Comes from South America: blackwater streams and flooded forest. Expect still to gentle current and moderate.
Low escape risk, but a lid is cheap insurance.
In the aquarium: typical egg-scattering characin; adults eat the eggs. Subtle; females fuller-bodied.