The Pristella Tetra

The Pristella Tetra originates from the Amazon and Orinoco Rivers of South America.  It is also known by the common name X-Ray Tetra. The Pristella Tetra has a distinctive black band on its dorsal fin with white above the band and yellow/white below it. The tail can have a hint of orange/red.  The body is translucent, giving rise to the name X-Ray, but many sold today appear more solid bodied.  Pristella Tetras are good beginner fish. They are hardy and resistant to temperature change and fluctuating water quality. They do not require the soft acidic water typical of many other tetras.  Pristella Tertras are shy and will be quite nervous among larger fish. They should be kept in groups of 6 or more.  They will school loosely when they feel safe and tightly when they feel threatened.  Low light levels with plants and driftwood to hide among are recommended.  Pristella Tetras eat small flake foods, spirulina flake foods, freeze dried bloodworms and live foods, such as brine shrimp.

Neon Tetra

 This is one of the most popular aquarium fish because of its bright color. The Neon Tetra originally came from the upper Amazon near Peru, where it occupied dark locations. Neon Tetras have a stripe along the length of their body that change between blue and green depending on the viewing angle. It is also very similar to the Glowlight Tetra. The females have a slightly wider body and this will cause the stripe to appear to bend. They appreciate blackwater conditions, which refers to the soft dark water created by the accumulation of decaying leaves in slow moving and still waters. This can be replicated by filtering through peat or by adding blackwater extract sold by suppliers such as Tetra. This will turn the water an amber color. Neons should be kept in a school of at least 6 and the more you increase their numbers, the better the schooling effect. They will eat food flakes, spirulina, freeze-dried bloodworms and live foods, such as brine shrimp and bloodworms.