From Aqua Guide, the free encyclopedia
Emperor Tetra
Nematobrycon palmeri
- Temperature
- 23–27 °C
- pH
- 5 – 7.5
- Min. tank size
- 81 L
- Lifespan
- 5-6 years
- Diet
- omnivore
- Care level
- moderate
| Scientific classification | |
|---|---|
| Scientific Name: | Nematobrycon palmeri |
| Family: | Acestrorhamphidae |
| Origin: | South America (San Juan and Atrato basins, Colombia) |
| Care Characteristics | |
| Care Level: | moderate |
| Diet: | omnivore |
| Max Size: | 4.20 cm |
| Water Type: | freshwater |
| Temp Group: | tropical |
| Temperament: | peaceful |
| Min Group: | 6+ together |
| Varieties: | No cultivated strains of consequence, and the wild fish is what people buy. A "rainbow" emperor tetra is offered by some suppliers, generally a selected line with stronger iridescence rather than a distinct form, and albino emperors appear occasionally without being established in the trade. Most fish available are commercially bred, and quality varies — well-grown captive-bred males with full caudal extensions are considerably more impressive than typical shop juveniles. The species to distinguish it from is the purple emperor tetra, Inpaichthys kerri, which looks similar and is a different genus. The reliable difference is the adipose fin: Inpaichthys has one, Nematobrycon does not. Nematobrycon lacortei, the rainbow or red-eyed emperor tetra, is a genuine second species in the same genus, with a red iris in males rather than blue. It is less commonly traded and worth knowing about if you want to keep lines separate. All three are peaceful community tetras with similar requirements, so a mixed tank is not a husbandry problem — it is only a problem if you care what you are looking at. |
| Lifespan: | 5-6 years |
Quick Tips
- Bioload:Low
- Min Tank:81 L
- Substrate:Dark sand/gravel; planted with swimming space
- Plant Safe:Plant-safe
- Filtration:Moderate
Emperor Tetra (Nematobrycon palmeri) is a species of fish in the family Acestrorhamphidae. It is native to South America (San Juan and Atrato basins, Colombia). The emperor tetra is described by specialists as one of the best tetras for a general community setup, and it earns that with looks as well as behaviour. It comes from the San Juan and Atrato basins in Colombia and reaches 42 mm standard length. The body is a soft purple-violet with a broad dark band running from gill to tail, and mature males carry an elongated central ray in the caudal fin — giving the trident-shaped tail the species is known for. It is one of the very few characins in which the central caudal ray extends like that. The eyes are the surprise. Males have a blue iris and females a green one, which is an unusually clear and unusually pretty sexing marker. It also lacks an adipose fin entirely, which is what separates Nematobrycon from the tetras it otherwise resembles. Peaceful, hardy, undemanding, and better than its modest reputation.
Compatibility
- Temperament
- peaceful
- Keep in
- Groups of 6+
- Swims
- middle
- Fin nipper
- No
- Delicate fins
- No
Species similar to Emperor Tetra
Matched on family, then category, then water type