Emperor tetra

The emperor tetra is a characin of the family Characidae, native to the Atrato and San Juan river basins of western Colombia. It has a dusky purple-grey body with a bold black lateral stripe, and males develop extended central tail rays and blue-gold eyes that give the species a regal look. It is a hardy, generally peaceful shoaling fish that shows best in groups of six or more, where males display to one another with flared fins. It occupies the middle water levels and is a good community fish, though it may nip very long-finned tankmates. A planted tank with soft to moderately hard water and some open swimming space suits it. It accepts flakes, small pellets, and live or frozen foods. It is an egg-scatterer that can be bred in soft, slightly acidic water with fine-leaved plants.