Skip to main content

South American Tetra

206 products available

Schooling tetras from South America — the backbone of community tanks. Cardinal Tetras, Neons, Rummy Noses, and dozens more species.

Products in South American Tetra

206 products

Neon Tetra with a bright blue stripe and red rear body against a softly blurred background
Moderate

Neon Tetra (Paracheirodon innesi)

21–25°C · pH 5–7

£2.99
Cardinal Tetra in side profile with a blue stripe and full-length red lower body on black
Moderate

Cardinal Tetra (Paracheirodon axelrodi)

23–27°C · pH 5.5–7 · 60L

£2.54
Side view of a Super Blue Emperor Tetra with a vivid blue body in an aquarium
−40%
Moderate

Super Blue Emperor Tetra (Inpaichthys kerri)

24–27°C · pH 5.5–7 · 68L

£2.99£4.99
Electric Blue Acara swimming among green plants, rocks and dark wood
Easy

Electric Blue Acara (Andinoacara pulcher) – Neon Blue, 2–7cm Sizes

22–23°C · pH 6.5–8

£6.19
Neon Red Male Guppy (Poecilia reticulata)
Easy

Neon Red Male Guppy (Poecilia reticulata)

22–28°C · pH 7–8

£3.99
Red-Blue Colombian Tetra with red fins beside driftwood, shown in right-facing side profile with a silver body.
−14%

Red-Blue Colombian Tetra (Hyphessobrycon columbianus)

20–28°C · pH 5–7.5 · 81L

£2.57£2.99
Blue, purple and yellow Steveni Blue Neon Peacock Cichlid swimming by green plants and dark wood

Steveni Blue Neon Peacock Cichlid (Aulonocara stuartgranti)

23–26°C · pH 8–8.6 · 243L

£18.99
Royal Tetra (Inpaichthys kerri)
Easy

Royal Tetra (Inpaichthys kerri)

24–27°C · pH 5.5–7 · 80L

From £3.99Some sizes on sale
Purple Pencilfish with a vivid red stripe swimming among green plants and wood

Purple Pencilfish (Nannostomus rubrocaudatus)

24–28°C · pH 4–7 · 81L

£23.99
Glass Bloodfin Tetra with a translucent blue body and red-orange tail among wood and plants
Easy

Glass Bloodfin Tetra (Prionobrama filigera)

23–27°C · pH 6.5–7.5 · 68L

£3.99
Green Neon Tetra with a bright blue-green stripe swimming among wood and plants

Green Neon Tetra (Paracheirodon simulans)

23–27°C · pH 5.5–6 · 41L

From £2.99Some sizes on sale
Lemon Tetra swimming beside wood and green plants, with a red-ringed eye, dark fins and gravel below

Lemon Tetra (Hyphessobrycon pulchripinnis)

22–27°C · pH 6.5–7.5 · 72L

£3.99
Red-Line Tetra with vivid red and black side stripes among plants and dark wood

Red-Line Tetra (Hyphessobrycon amapaensis)

23–28°C · pH 5–7 · 54L

£7.99
Tucan Fish (Chalceus erythrurus)

Tucan Fish (Chalceus erythrurus)

22–26°C · pH 6.5–7 · 243L

£14.99
Blackberry Silver Dollar (Myleus sp. Lamax III) representative aquarium illustration
−11%
Advanced

Blackberry Silver Dollar (Myleus sp. "Lamax III")

24–28°C · pH 6–7.5 · 500L

£140.61£157.99
Red-and-black striped pencilfish swimming between wood and green plants

Dwarf Pencilfish (Nannostomus marginatus)

24–26°C · pH 6.5–7 · 41L

£6.99
Bleeding Heart Tetra with a red shoulder spot swimming by green plants and wood

Bleeding Heart Tetra (Megalamphodus erythrostigma)

23–27°C · pH 6.5–7.2 · 81L

£12.99
Two Red Phantom Tetras pictured with dark shoulder spots above aquarium leaf litter

Red Phantom Tetra (Megalamphodus sweglesi)

£5.99
Ornate Tetra (Hyphessobrycon bentosi)
Easy

White-Fin Ornate Tetra (Hyphessobrycon bentosi)

23–28°C · pH 5.5–7.5

£5.99
Serpae Tetra with a black shoulder patch swimming among green plants and dark wood

Serpae Tetra (Megalamphodus eques)

20–28°C · pH 5–7.5 · 72L

£2.99
Schreitmüller's Silver Dollar (Metynnis hypsauchen)
Moderate

Schreitmüller's Silver Dollar (Metynnis hypsauchen)

24–28°C · pH 6–7 · 260L

£7.99
Red-Bellied Pacu with a silver body and orange-red belly swimming among wood and plants
Advanced

Red-Bellied Pacu (Piaractus brachypomus) – Juvenile Size Options

23–28°C · pH 4.8–7.5 · 2550L

£6.99
Buenos Aires Tetra with red fins swimming among wood and plants
−10%

Buenos Aires Tetra (Psalidodon anisitsi) – 3.5–5.5cm Sizes

22–27°C · pH 6.5–8

£2.69£2.99
Paracheirodon innesi yellow in a planted aquarium — representative image
Moderate

Yellow Neon Tetra (Paracheirodon innesi) — Size Options: 1.5–3 cm

21–25°C · pH 5–7

£2.99

Frequently Asked Questions about South American Tetra

How many tetras should I keep together?

At least 6, ideally 10+. Tetras are obligate shoalers and feel stressed or hide constantly in smaller groups. A large shoal shows their natural schooling behaviour and far better colouration — it transforms the look of a community tank.

Are Neon Tetras easier than Cardinal Tetras?

Neons are slightly more tolerant of cooler temperatures (20–25°C) and slightly harder water. Cardinals need warmer water (24–28°C) and softer, more acidic conditions but are often sourced as hardier wild-caught stock. Both need mature, stable tanks.

What size tank do tetras need?

Small tetras like Neons, Cardinals and Ember Tetras are comfortable in a 60–100L with a group of 10. Larger tetras like Congo or Black Widow need 120L+. Tank length matters more than volume — tetras swim horizontally and need open space.

Can I mix different tetra species?

Yes, but each shoal still needs 6+ of its own kind to feel secure. A mix of Neons, Cardinals and Rummy Noses in one larger tank can work beautifully, but they won't school together — each species forms its own group.

Why have my Neon Tetras gone pale?

Pale colour usually signals stress, poor water quality or the onset of Neon Tetra Disease (a parasitic infection). Check water parameters, nitrate levels and temperature stability. Isolate obviously unwell fish to prevent spread and look for white patches or curved spines.