Silver tetra (Ctenobrycon spilurus)

Scientific name: Ctenobrycon spilurus Valenciennes, 1850

The Silver tetra (Ctenobrycon spilurus) is a freshwater fish of the family Characidae. In the aquarium it needs water at 23–27°C (73–81°F). Native range: South America, Orinoco River basin and coastal river basins of Guyana, Suriname and French Guiana.

Silver tetra care at a glance

Temperature: 23–27°C (73–81°F)

Biology

A voracious species. Inhabits calm waters. In nature, it feeds mainly on zooplankton but it also consume plants, worms, insects and crustaceans. An adult female produces around 2,000 eggs which is incubated for a period of 50 to 70 hours. After the third day, the fish search actively for food.

Source: FishBase, licensed CC BY-NC 4.0.

Species facts

Scientific name: Ctenobrycon spilurus
Family: Characidae (Characins)
Order: Characiformes (Characins)
Class: Actinopterygii (Ray-finned fishes)
Maximum length: 8.0
Environment: Freshwater; pelagic
Climate: Tropical
Distribution: South America: Orinoco River basin and coastal river basins of Guyana, Suriname and French Guiana.
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. Fec=1000)