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Tetra Care Guide
Tetra Fish
Complete Care Guide
Everything you need to keep your Tetras healthy, vibrant, and thriving — from day one.
Critical Warning — Read This First
Tap water contains chlorine and chloramines that kill Tetras within seconds. Never add untreated tap water to your tank — not even for a water change. Always use a dechlorinator (like Seachem Prime) first.
Float the bag — do not open it
Place the sealed bag gently on the surface of your aquarium. This equalises the temperature inside the bag with your tank. Do not open, squeeze, or agitate the bag.
Begin water mixing
Open the bag. Add roughly ¼ cup of your tank water every 5 minutes, 3–4 times. This lets the fish adjust to your tank's chemistry, not just temperature.
Transfer using a net
Use a soft net to gently move the fish into the tank. Do not pour bag water into your tank — it may contain pathogens or ammonia.
Dim the lights for 12 hours
Tetras have been in darkness during shipping. Sudden bright light causes stress. Keep lights off for the rest of the day. Do not feed on arrival day.
Pro Tip: Quarantine Tank
If you have other fish, always acclimate new Tetras into a separate quarantine tank for 7–10 days before introducing to the main tank.
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Water Change — Step-by-Step to Avoid Deaths
- Fill a clean bucket with tap water the night before (or 30 min prior)
- Add Seachem Prime at 1 drop per litre
- Wait 2–3 minutes, then add to tank slowly
- Ensure the new water is within 1–2°C of tank temperature
Still have questions?
Our fish care team is here to help. 25+ years in the hobby.
| Food Type | Brand / Example | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Micro Pellets Best Choice | Hikari Micro Pellets, Ocean Free Super Micro | Sink slowly — ideal for mid-water Tetras. Particles must be tiny (0.5–1mm). |
| Micro Flakes | Taiyo, API Tropical Flakes | Crush between fingers before feeding. Uneaten flakes cloud water. |
| Frozen Foods | Baby Brine Shrimp, Micro Bloodworms | Great for colour and conditioning. Feed 2–3x per week max. |
| Live Foods | Baby brine shrimp (newly hatched) | Best for fry and breeding conditioning. |
Feeding Schedule
- Day 1–2 after arrival: Do not feed. Fish are adjusting.
- Day 3 onwards: Feed once daily — what they eat in 60 seconds.
- Routine: Feed twice daily (morning + evening) in tiny quantities.
- Fasting day: One day per week with no feeding.
Overfeeding is the #1 cause of water quality problems
Uneaten food rots and spikes ammonia. If food sinks uneaten after 2 minutes, remove it immediately.
Still have questions?
Our fish care team is here to help. 25+ years in the hobby.
Yes — Tetras Love Planted Tanks
Tetras originate from the densely planted rivers of South America. A planted tank reduces stress, provides hiding spots, and improves water quality. Your fish will be more colourful and active.
Excellent Choices
Java Fern, Anubias, Cryptocorynes, Java Moss, Water Sprite, Rotala
Use with Care
Vallisneria (Tetras may nibble), fine-leaved plants like Hornwort (can shed)
Avoid
Plastic plants (may scratch fins), plants needing very high light if your setup isn't ready
Easy Planted Tank Tips
- Use a dark substrate — it intensifies Tetra colours dramatically
- Dense background planting + open swimming space in front = ideal layout
- Floating plants (Water Lettuce, Duckweed) diffuse light and calm the fish
- No CO2 injection needed for low-tech plants like Java Fern and Anubias
Still have questions?
Our fish care team is here to help. 25+ years in the hobby.
| Symptom | Likely Cause | Action |
|---|---|---|
| White spots (like salt grains) | Ich | Raise temp to 28°C gradually. Add Ich medication. Isolate if possible. |
| Clamped fins, hiding | Stress, poor water quality | Test water immediately. Do 25% water change with dechlorinated water. |
| White/grey film on body | Bacterial or fungal | Isolate in quarantine. Use API Melafix or consult a specialist. |
| Gasping at surface | Low oxygen, ammonia spike | Check ammonia. Increase surface agitation. Do water change. |
| Rapid breathing, erratic swimming | Chlorine poisoning, pH shock | 30% water change immediately with treated water. Add Seachem Prime. |
| Bloating, pinecone-like scales | Dropsy (organ failure) | Isolate immediately. Often fatal. Consult an aquarium specialist. |
Essential Medicines to Keep at Home
- Seachem Prime — dechlorinator + temporary ammonia detox
- API Ich Cure / Malachite Green — for Ich outbreaks
- API Melafix — mild bacterial/fungal infections
- API Test Kit — monitor ammonia, nitrite, nitrate, pH
Still have questions?
Our fish care team is here to help. 25+ years in the hobby.
Good Tank Mates for Tetras
Corydoras Catfish, small Rasboras, Otocinclus, Dwarf Gouramis, small Danios, and other Tetra species. Avoid anything large enough to eat a Tetra.
Still have questions?
Our fish care team is here to help. 25+ years in the hobby.