Characidae
From Microcosm Aquarium Explorer
Moenkhausia pittieri, Diamond Tetra. JJPhoto.dk
Overview
The characins are a diverse and speciose New World family with many favorites among freshwater aquarists. The Characins include:
- Tetras
- Silver Dollars
- Pacus
- Piranhas
- Blind Cave Fish (Astyanax mexicanus)
BioGroup:
Native range:
Taxonomic rank: Family
Common name: CHARACINS
| Total known | Total profiles | |
|---|---|---|
| Subfamilies | 12 | 0 |
| Genera | 165 | 12 |
| Species | 962 | 18 |
Captive care: Highly variable, according to genus and species.
Feeding: This family includes carnivores, herbivores and omnivores. See individual species accounts.
Notes: Taxonomists have split the African Characin-type fishes off into the Family Alestiidae.
Subfamilies
none
Genera
- Aphyocharax
- Colossoma
- Exodon
- Gymnocorymbus
- Hemigrammus
- Hyphessobrycon
- Megalamphodus
- Metynnis
- Moenkhausia
- Nematobrycon
- Paracheirodon
- Pygocentrus
Species
- Black Neon Tetra
- Black Phantom Tetra
- Black Tetra
- Bleeding Heart Tetra
- Bloodfin Tetra
- Bucktooth Tetra
- Cardinal Tetra
- Diamond Tetra
- Emperor Tetra
- Glowlight Tetra
- Lemon Tetra
- Neon Tetra
- Pacu
- Red-Bellied Piranha
- Rummynose Tetra
- Serpae Tetra
- Silver Dollar
- Silvertip Tetra
Reference: 101 Best Tropical Fishes