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✨ Buy Tetra Fish Online in India
Tetras are small schooling fish that bring constant movement and colour to planted community aquariums. Neon, cardinal, glowlight, ember and widow tetras are all popular and affordable in India. Always keep them in groups of six or more so they school confidently.
Tetra Fish price today₹8 to ₹50across 6 listings in stock
Tetra Fish available now
Tetra Fish at a glance
- Minimum tank
- 40 litres for a school
- Temperature
- 22–27°C
- Group
- 6 or more of the same species
- Difficulty
- Beginner friendly
- Adult size
- 2 to 5 cm for most species
- Lifespan
- 3 to 5 years
- Diet
- Omnivore: micro pellets, flake, frozen foods
- Temperament
- Peaceful, some species nip fins
- Water
- Soft to neutral, warm
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Check tank size, compatibility and delivery conditions before buying. Availability and safe dispatch depend on your pincode and weather.
Ask an aquarium expertTypes of tetra fish
Neon tetra
Blue and red stripe, the most recognised aquarium fish in India. Best added to a mature tank.
Cardinal tetra
Similar to neon but with red running the full body length. Prefers softer, warmer water.
Ember tetra
Small and glowing orange. Excellent in planted nano tanks.
Rummynose tetra
Red head with a striped tail, and a superb water quality indicator, since the red fades when conditions slip.
Black skirt tetra
Larger and hardier, though known to nip trailing fins.
Serpae tetra
Striking red, but a persistent fin nipper. Avoid with bettas, angelfish and guppies.
School size changes the fish
Tetras are shoaling fish and their behaviour depends on numbers. A group of three hides and stays pale. A group of ten moves as a unit in open water and shows full colour.
Six is the usual minimum recommendation and ten or more is noticeably better. Buying one larger school of a single species beats buying small groups of several species.
A school also spreads any nipping behaviour among themselves rather than concentrating it on tank mates, which is why understocked serpae and black skirt tetras cause the most trouble.
Why neon tetras die in new tanks
Neons are sold as beginner fish but are a poor choice for a tank that has just been set up. They are sensitive to ammonia and nitrite, which are exactly what a new tank produces.
Add them to a tank that has been running and cycled for several weeks, and acclimatise slowly, since they react badly to sudden changes in temperature and chemistry.
Cardinal tetras are slightly hardier once settled but want softer, warmer water. In hard water areas of India, neons generally cope better than cardinals.
Planted tanks and lighting
Tetras come from shaded, tannin stained streams and look and behave best in a planted tank with cover and some floating plants to break the light.
A dark substrate deepens their colour noticeably. The same fish over pale gravel under bright light will look washed out and stay closer to cover.
They swim mostly in the middle of the tank, so they combine well with corydoras below and a surface dwelling species above to use the full height.
Choosing tetras that get along
Most small tetras are genuinely peaceful. The exceptions are well known: serpae and black skirt tetras nip trailing fins and should not be kept with bettas, guppies or angelfish.
Size matters as much as temperament. Neons and embers are small enough for an adult angelfish to eat, so pair them with fish that will stay proportionate.
Check that everything in the tank wants similar water. Tetras prefer softer water than mollies and guppies, so a mixed community is a compromise for at least one species.
Guides worth reading first
Tetra Fish Price in India 2026: Neon, Cardinal, Glowlight and More
Tetras are the most popular schooling fish in India. Current prices for every common variety, plus the care mistakes that cause the classic neon tetra die-off.
Beginners GuideBest Aquarium Fish for Beginners in India (2026)
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Price GuideDiscus Fish Price in India 2026 - Varieties, Care & Buying Guide
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Care GuideAquarium Fish Compatibility Chart for Indian Homes
Choose peaceful tank mates by temperament, adult size, temperature and water needs-not appearance alone.
Frequently asked questions
What is the tetra fish price in India?
Most tetras are budget friendly and usually sold in groups; premium types like cardinals cost a little more. Live prices are listed above.
How many tetras should be kept together?
At least six of the same species. Larger schools look better and keep the fish less stressed.
Can tetras live with bettas or guppies?
Peaceful tetras generally mix well with guppies and similar community fish; with bettas, avoid known fin-nippers like serpae tetras.
How many tetras should be kept together?
At least six of the same species, and ten or more if the tank allows. Small groups stay pale, hide, and are more likely to nip other fish.
Why do my neon tetras keep dying?
Most often they were added to a tank that had not finished cycling. Neons are sensitive to ammonia and nitrite and should go into a tank that has been running for several weeks.
Can tetras live with a betta?
Peaceful species such as neons, embers and rummynose usually can. Avoid serpae and black skirt tetras, which nip the betta trailing fins.
What is the difference between neon and cardinal tetras?
The red stripe runs only along the rear half of a neon but the full length of a cardinal. Cardinals grow slightly larger and prefer softer, warmer water.