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Emperor Tetra
Nematobrycon palmeri
Animalia›Chordata›Actinopterygii›Characiformes›Characidae
📍 Río San Juan & Atrato, Colombia
Regal tetra with iridescent purple-blue flanks and a distinctive trident-shaped tail in males. One of the most beautiful small tetras.
Care Guide
Diet
Emperor Tetras are omnivores that thrive on a varied diet of high-quality flake foods, micro pellets, and small frozen foods like brine shrimp, daphnia, and bloodworms. Feed small amounts once daily, offering only what they can consume in 2-3 minutes. Occasional vegetable matter such as blanched spinach supports digestive health.
Behavior
Emperor Tetras are peaceful, active schooling fish that display their best colors and behavior when kept in groups of at least 6 individuals. They occupy the mid-water column and are relatively shy, preferring densely planted tanks where they feel secure. Males exhibit mild fin-nipping behavior toward each other, but this rarely causes injury in properly sized groups.
Breeding
Breeding Emperor Tetras in captivity is moderately difficult and rarely achieved by casual hobbyists. They require soft, acidic water (pH 5.0-6.0), dense vegetation or spawning mops, and careful separation of breeding pairs. Fry are extremely small and require infusoria or liquid fry food for the first week before accepting microworms or newly hatched brine shrimp.
Tank Mates
Peaceful bottom-dweller with identical water requirements; won't compete for food or space
Similar size, temperament, and water preferences; excellent community tank companion
Comparable size and peaceful nature; thrives in same soft, acidic water conditions
Small shrimp are generally safe; may occasionally be nipped but coexist peacefully in planted tanks
Peaceful dwarf cichlid with overlapping temperature range; may occasionally chase tetras but rarely causes harm
Nearly identical care requirements and peaceful schooling behavior; excellent mix for community tanks
Common Diseases
Ich (Ichthyophthirius multifiliis)
White spots on body and fins, rapid breathing, lethargy, rubbing against objects
Raise temperature gradually to 28-29°C, perform daily 25% water changes, use aquarium salt (1 teaspoon per 5 gallons) or commercial ich treatment for 7-10 days
Fin Rot
Frayed or deteriorating fin edges, discoloration at fin bases, lethargy
Improve water quality with frequent partial water changes, maintain optimal temperature, use antibiotic medication if severe; remove any aggressive tank mates
Neon Tetra Disease
Loss of coloration, spinal curvature, erratic swimming, white stripe along lateral line
No cure exists; isolate affected fish to prevent spread, maintain pristine water conditions, consider euthanasia if severely affected
Bacterial Infection
Cloudy eyes, open sores, torn fins, loss of appetite, behavioral changes
Perform 50% water change immediately, treat with broad-spectrum antibiotic medication, maintain temperature at 25-26°C, improve filtration and water quality
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Quick Facts
- pH
- 5.0–7.5
- diet
- omnivore
- maxSize
- 2 inches
- minTankSize
- 15 gallons
- temperature
- 73–81°F (23–27°C)
Temperature
73–81°F
23–27°C