Silvertip Tetra

The Silvertip Tetra is an energetic and visually distinctive species from the São Francisco River system of Brazil. The copper-orange body and contrasting silver-white fin tips create a sparkling effect as schools dart through the water column, the tips appearing to flash in unison. Males tend to be more vividly copper-orange, while females are a paler golden-yellow. Though smaller than many tetras at around 5 cm, the Silvertip is a bold, active fish with a personality larger than its size suggests. It is semi-aggressive and has a tendency to nip fins, particularly from slower, long-finned species. This behavior is considerably reduced when the fish is kept in large schools of eight or more, as intra-school interaction redirects the fish's energy. Despite its somewhat feisty reputation, the Silvertip Tetra coexists well with other robust, short-finned community species and is an excellent choice for moderately dynamic community aquariums. It adapts readily to a wide range of water conditions, is unfussy about food, and is generally healthy and long-lived. A popular and widely available species.