All fish / Characidae

Emperor Tetra

Nematobrycon palmeri

Also known as emperor tetra, black emperor tetra, rainbow emperor tetra, palmeri tetra, emporer tetra, ปลาเอ็มเพอเรอร์เตตร้า, tetra emperor, エンペラーテトラ, 帝王灯, 帝王灯鱼

A slim tetra with a broad black stripe along the flank, a purple and golden sheen and, in males, a three-pronged tail with an extended centre ray. Males also have striking turquoise eyes. It is kept for its colour, hardiness and calm behaviour in planted community tanks.

Care at a glance

Care level

Easy

Temperament

Semi

Adult size

4.5 cm

Temperature

23 to 27 °C

pH

5.5 to 7.5

Smallest tank

60 litres

Keep as

Group of 6 or more, ideally one male to several females

Diet

Omnivore: quality flakes and micro pellets with frozen or live bloodworm, daphnia and brine shrimp

Swims

Middle of the tank

Lifespan

4 to 6 years

Water

Freshwater

Wild range

Colombia (San Juan and Atrato river basins)

Breeding

An egg scatterer that lays a few eggs at a time among fine-leaved plants over several days, with no parental care. Spawning is fairly easy in soft, slightly acidic water, but adults eat the eggs, so remove them or use a separate breeding tank.

Good to know

Males can be territorial with each other, so give space and plenty of plants or keep a single male with females. Avoid housing with fin-nippers or very large fish.