Emperor tetra (Nematobrycon palmeri)

Scientific name: Nematobrycon palmeri Eigenmann, 1911

Emperor tetra (Nematobrycon palmeri)

The Emperor tetra (Nematobrycon palmeri) is a freshwater fish of the family Characidae that grows to about 6 cm (2.4 in). It is moderate to keep and semi-aggressive, suits community aquariums and needs a tank of at least 75 L (20 US gal), water at 23–26°C (73–79°F) and a pH of 5.0–8.0. Native range: South America, Rio San Juan and the Rio Atrata in Colombia.

Emperor tetra care at a glance

Care level
Moderate
Temperament
Semi-aggressive
Community tank
Good
Adult size
6 cm (2.4 in)
Minimum tank
75 L (20 US gal)
Temperature
23–26°C (73–79°F)
pH
5.0–8.0
Hardness
5–19 dGH (89–339 ppm)
Diet
Omnivore

Biology

Feeds on worms and crustaceans. Aquarium keeping: in groups of 5 or more individuals; minimum aquarium size 80 cm.

Source: FishBase, licensed CC BY-NC 4.0.

Species facts

Scientific name
Nematobrycon palmeri
Family
Characidae (Characins)
Order
Characiformes (Characins)
Class
Actinopterygii (Ray-finned fishes)
Maximum length
4.2
Environment
Freshwater;; pH range: 5.0 - 8.0; dH range: 5 - 19 pelagic
Climate
Tropical
Distribution
South America: Atrato and San Juan River basins.
Conservation status (IUCN)
Not Evaluated
Threat to humans
Harmless
Uses
Aquarium: commercial
Resilience
High, minimum population doubling time less than 15 months (Preliminary K or Fecundity.)

More tetras & characins

See all tetras & characins

Sources

Taxonomy, distribution and biology data: FishBase (Froese, R. and D. Pauly, eds.), licensed CC BY-NC 4.0. Aquarium care parameters compiled, checked and converted to metric and imperial units by Guppies.za.net.

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