Silvertip Tetra

Silvertip Tetra key facts

Care level

Beginner-friendly

Lifespan

3-5 years

Size

About 3.8-5cm

Temperature

23〜28℃

Diet

Dried foods, frozen bloodworm, Daphnia, brine shrimp

Tank

Seriously Fish suggests a base of at least 60 by 38cm, about 68 litres at 30cm depth, and FishBase likewise recommends 60cm or more. It is particularly well suited to a densely planted tank, though a simple sandy layout with driftwood and leaf litter works too. Slightly dimmed lighting brings out its colour.

Water Temperature & Quality

Seriously Fish gives 23-28C, pH 6.0-8.0 and 5-20 dGH; FishBase gives 22-28C, pH 6.0-8.0 and 5-19 dH. It is taken in both white and black water in the wild, and since every fish in the trade is farmed it is untroubled by water chemistry.

Tank Mates

Lively and peaceful, it suits a general community and mixes with other tetras, Corydoras, small loricariids, gouramis and dwarf cichlids. Keep it away from larger fish such as angelfish that would see it as food. Single fish can turn nippy, so keep six or more, preferably ten or more.

Diet & Feeding

It eats almost anything. Base the diet on dried food and give regular meals of small live and frozen fare such as bloodworm, Daphnia and brine shrimp for colour and condition.

Breeding & Spawning

Breeding is fairly easy. To raise fry in numbers, use a dimly lit separate tank of about 45 by 30 by 30cm with java moss or spawning mops, or a mesh over the base to protect the adhesive eggs. To spawn a pair, condition the sexes apart and run the spawning tank a few degrees warmer than the main one. The adults eat the eggs, so remove them as soon as spawning is seen. The eggs hatch in twenty-four to thirty-six hours and the fry swim three to four days later.

Health & Notes

FishBase lists it as IUCN Least Concern, not on the CITES appendices and harmless to people. It is hardy and treated as a beginner's fish, but kept in small numbers it turns to fin nipping. It has no adipose fin, which is the point to check when telling it from characins of similar size.

About Silvertip Tetra

A copper-bodied tetra with striking white fin tips. This hardy characin lacks an adipose fin, a rare trait, and is easy to keep, ideal for beginners. Adults grow to about 3.8-5 cm.

7 things to know before welcoming a Silvertip Tetra

1. 1Keep Them in a Shoal

   Silvertip Tetras are a shoaling species and look and behave their best when kept in a group. A shoal brings out their white fin tips and calmer, more natural behavior compared to keeping just one or two.

2. 2No Adipose Fin

   Most characins have a small adipose fin near the tail, but Silvertip Tetras lack one entirely. It's a handy feature for telling them apart from similar-looking tetras.

3. 3Not Picky About Water

   They're a hardy species that tolerates a range of water conditions and readily accepts standard flake or pellet food, making them a practical choice for first-time tropical fish keepers.

4. 4Peaceful and Community-Friendly

   Silvertip Tetras are peaceful and rarely bother other small fish, making them a solid community tank choice. Just avoid pairing them with fish small enough to fit in their mouths.

5. 5Give Them Room to Swim

   Since they're active shoalers, a tank with plenty of horizontal swimming space lets them display their natural movement. Adding plants or driftwood gives them places to settle and feel secure.

6. 6Acclimate Slowly at Arrival

   Newly introduced fish can be stressed by sudden changes in water conditions, so a slow, gradual acclimation helps them settle in faster. Keep an eye on their appetite for the first few days after introduction.

7. 7Mostly Captive-Bred Stock

   Most Silvertip Tetras available today are captive-bred and adapt well to breeding in home aquariums. Combined with their hardiness, they're an easy species to keep long-term.

Frequently asked questions about Silvertip Tetra

Q.Are Silvertip Tetras good for community tanks?

A.Yes, their peaceful temperament makes them easy to combine with other calm fish of similar size. It's best to avoid pairing them with fish small enough to be seen as food.

Q.How big do Silvertip Tetras get?

A.Adults reach about 3.8 to 5 cm, keeping them on the small side. This compact size means they don't require an especially large tank.

Q.Are Silvertip Tetras suitable for beginners?

A.Yes, they're considered a beginner-friendly species thanks to their hardiness and tolerance for varying water conditions and diets. Regular basic care like water changes is still needed.

Q.Is the missing adipose fin a sign of illness or deformity?

A.No, Silvertip Tetras naturally lack an adipose fin. It's an unusual trait among characins but a completely normal part of their body shape.

Q.Are Silvertip Tetras subject to any special regulations?

A.Silvertip Tetras are not subject to CITES.

Useful tools for Silvertip Tetra care

Learn more about Silvertip Tetra in the encyclopedia

More in this category