Characins
Characins are a widespread group of fish. They include tetras, pirahna, hatchet fish, and Pacu. They range from extreme carnivores to peaceful herbivores.
Common Characteristics:
| Food: | Varies between Carnivore and Herbivore again. Pacus eat mostly vegetation, and Pirahna eat meat, preferably moving meat. Check with specific species again. |
| Breeding: | All are egg-layers with little of no brood care. Some are very particular about water conditions for spawning, while others are not. |
| Water Parameters: | Most like soft acidic water, though there are some exceptions. Also most are tropical with a few preferring cooler water. |
| Temperament: | Most Tetras are nearly all schooling fish who like the company of their own kind, and are overall not aggressive. |
| Origins: | South America and a few Africans. Congo Tetras being the notable African species. |
| A Few Exceptions: | Pacu: Can grow absolutely huge, and loves
plants and vegetables. Their huge size, often 14 inches makes
them difficult to care for. Pirahna: For obvious reasons. They are larger, only really comfortable in a shoal, and often a very nervous species. They also do nothing when not feeding. They are also illegal in many US states. |
Link to Characin Species Profiles
