Characidae, the characids or characins, is a family of freshwater subtropical and tropical fish belonging to the order Characiformes. The name "characins" is an historical one, but scientists today tend to prefer "characids" to reflect their status as a, by and large, monophyletic group. To arrive there, this family has undergone much systematic and taxonomic change. Among those fishes remaining in the Characidae currently are the tetras, comprising the very similar genera Hemigrammus and Hyphessobrycon, as well as a few related forms, such as the cave and neon tetras. Fish of this family are important as food in several regions, and also constitute a large percentage of captive freshwater aquarium fish species.
The black neon tetra is a freshwater fish of the characin family (Characidae) of the order Characiformes. It is native to the Paraguay basin of southern Brazil. They are often found in the aquarium trade.
Astyanax jordani is a freshwater fish of the characin family of order Characiformes, native to Mexico. It is sometimes called the cave tetra, or by its local Spanish name tetra ciego.
Thayeria boehlkei is a species of characin fish endemic to the Amazon river basin and Araguaia river, in Peru and Brazil respectively. The species is popular with aquarium hobbyists where it is traded under a variety of common names including blackline penguinfish, blackline thayeria, hockey-stick tetra, penguin fish and penguin tetra.
The diamond tetra is a small freshwater fish of the characin family of order Characiformes. It is found in and around Lake Valencia in Venezuela, South America.
The ember tetra is a freshwater fish of the characin family of order Characiformes. It is native to the Araguaia River basin of Brazil and was discovered in 1987 and named in honor of the fish explorer Heiko Bleher's mother.
Nematobrycon palmeri, commonly known as the emperor tetra, is a species of characid fish found in the Atrato and San Juan river basins in western Colombia. It was first imported in the aquarium trade to the United States in 1960 and has since become well established.
The ruby tetra is a species of freshwater fish in the family Characidae. It is endemic to the Río Meta, Colombia, South America. In nature, it has a natural red colour, but this is somewhat lessened in captivity. Ruby tetras grow up to 3 cm (1.2 in) to 3.5 cm (1.4 in) long.
Boehlkea is a genus of small characins found in the Amazon basin in South America.
The gold tetra is a species of small freshwater fish in the family Characidae native to lowland South America, where they are abundant in coastal floodplains. Their name comes from a powdery golden tint on their body that is thought to be caused by internal parasites. Gold tetras are peaceful, hardy, schooling community fish. Gold tetras have been successfully bred in captivity.
Knodus borki is a species of characin endemic to Peru, where it is found in the vicinity of Iquitos. It is found in a freshwater environment within a benthopelagic depth range. This species is native to a tropical environment. It lives in the habitats of rivers, streams, and tributaries.
Ladigesia roloffi, the Sierra Leone dwarf characin, is a species of harmless African tetra that is found in Sierra Leone and Liberia, Africa. L. roloffi is the only member of its genus. The fish was named in honor of German aquarist Erhard Roloff (1903–1980), who collected the type specimen. They are a social species generally living in schools at mid depths and surface level fresh water. It lives for five years. Ninety-seven percent of their natural habitat has been lost.
Axelrodia is a genus of small characin from the Amazon Basin and Meta River in South America, with three currently described species:
The royal tetra is a species of characin endemic to Brazil, where it is found in tributaries of the Aripuanã River. It was once the sole member of its genus.
Lophiobrycon weitzmani is a species of small characin endemic to Brazil, where it is found in the upper Paraná River basin. It is considered threatened by Brazil's Ministry of the Environment. This species is the only member of the genus Lophiobrycon, but it is closely related to Glandulocauda and Mimagoniates.
Mixobrycon ribeiroi is a species of characin endemic to Paraguay, where it is found in the Paraguay River basin. It is the only member of its genus.
Petitella bleheri is a species of characin found in Amazon Basin in Brazil and Peru. One of three species called rummy-nose tetra, but is also called firehead tetra according to FishBase. Reaching a standard length of 2 in (5 cm) it is a common species found in the aquarium trade although often potentially hybridised with the other collective rummy-nose tetra species Petitella rhodostomus and Petitella georgiae; the false rummy-nose tetra.
Hyphessobrycon bentosi, the Bentos tetra, ornate tetra or candy cane tetra, is a species of characin fish found in sluggish tributaries at the Amazon Basin in Brazil and Peru. Occasionally, it makes its way into the aquarium trade. It has often been confused with the rosy tetra.
Bryconexodon juruenae is a species of characins endemic to Brazil. It is found in the upper Tapajós River basin in Brazil. This species reaches a length of 12.5 cm (4.9 in).
Bryconexodon trombetasi is a species of characins endemic to Brazil. It is found in the Trombetas River basin in Brazil. This species reaches a length of 11.7 cm (4.6 in).
