• Scientific name: Ctenobrycon spilurus
• Common name: Silver tetra
• Synonyms: Tetragonopterus spilurus
• Group: Characins
• Habitat: South America
• Size: 7-8 cm
• Biotope: Amazon river basin
• Social behavior: Peaceful schooling fish yet constantly active and not as well suited to a community tank as less active species.
• Diet: Omnivorous, large flakes and a broad range of live foods. May eat plants.
• Breeding: Easy
• Tank: Minimum 100 litres
• Population: 5-6 fishes for 100 litres
• Decoration: Roomy tank with large surface area, robust filtration and hardy vegetation. Needs a few larger plants for hiding places.
• Temperature: 20-26°C
• pH: 6,5-7,5
• Hardness: 10-20 NK°
• Lifespan: 3-5 years

Description: Can be kept with corydoras and other catfish, hardy cichlids, large characins and a long list of plant-eating characins. Male rather thinner and more vividly colored.

A prolific breeder, the Silver tetra spawns readily among the plants. Parents should be removed since they will eat the eggs. The fry hatch after one day and can be readily rised on finely ground flakes, egg yolk and artemia.