It is believed that between 1500 to 2000 species of characins exist. They can be found throughout South and Central America, as well as southern Texas and much of Africa. They are arguably the most popular type of fish in the aquarium hobby.
Physical Characteristics of Characins
Most characins possess teeth and are carnivorous, but there are many that are also omnivorous and herbivorous. They also possess a distinctive adipose fin along the tail before the dorsal fin. However, characins and tetras lack barbels or whiskers, as well as hard spines in the dorsal and anal fins.
Special care should be made to place aquariums containing characins in quiet, low-traffic
environments. Characins are capable of hearing high-frequency sounds because they possess a small chain of bones that connects their air bladder to the inner ear. As a result they are very sensitive to movement and sound, and can be easily stressed by disturbances.
Characins are usually schooling fish, preferring large groups. They possess special pheromones in their skin cells. When a fish is injured, pheromones are released into the water, sending a chemical alarm to other fish in the school.
Tetras and other characins range widely in size, from half an inch to over five feet in length! Research should be conducted for any characin the aquarist plans on obtaining, and a suitably large aquarium should be provided for the respective species.
General Care and Needs of Tetra Fish and Other Characins
Characins are primary-division freshwater fish, meaning the entire history of their evolution took place in freshwater. In contrast, the ancestors of secondary-division freshwater fish evolved from a marine environment. Because characin and tetras are primary-division fish and not secondary, the aquarist must exercise caution when adding salt to the water.
Characin diets vary greatly, and the aquarist should take care to research and obtain the proper food for each species. When in doubt, provide a healthy and varied diet. Flake food, small pellets, and algae wafers are readily available, but also make an effort to include live foods such as blood worms, brine shrimp, and small fish.
As with all fish, one of the critical keys to success in rearing is good water quality. If the characin in question has any special needs or water parameters, make sure they are met. Frequent, small water changes of 25-30 percent at least once a week are recommended.
Not only will clean water improve fish health and reduce the risk of disease, but it will better simulate the fish’s natural environment by continually providing fresh water. This can also be key in stimulating tetras or characins to breed, often by simulating seasonal rainfall.
Adequate filtration, water aeration, and heating are also a component. Tetras can often be hardy fish, but if their basic water parameters aren’t met, they can be difficult to keep alive.
Characins and tetras are beautiful and eye-catching fish. With proper research and care, they can be housed in all manner of freshwater aquariums. Challenging and alluring, all aquarists should try their hand at raising characins.
Source: Smith, Mark. Tetras and Other Characins. 2002.
Aaron Guzman - Aaron Guzman currently lives in Eureka, California and works as a freelance writer. He spends his spare time writing fiction, playing ...
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