Tetra - Emperor (Nematobrycon palmeri)

Care Level: Very Easy
Water Conditions: 5.0-7.5 pH and Soft to Moderately Hard
Temperature: 75-82°F (24-28°C)
Maximum Size: 2 ½ “(6 cm)

The Emperor tetra is a small, quiet freshwater fish commonly found in the hobby. Emperor tetras are seen as one of the best fish for community tanks and they do well with most non-aggressive fish species. Such fish are native to Columbia and are endemic to the basins of the Atrato and San Juan rivers. They are found primarily in clear, slow-moving rivers and streams, with sandy, rocky, or muddy bottoms. 

These fish should live in a well-maintained aquarium between 3-5 years on average although there are records of some specimens living longer. Emperor tetras grow to a maximum size of 5 cm (2 inches) and the males are slightly larger than the females. 

Emperor tetras should always be kept in groups of at least six but ideally in groups of ten or more. Such fish show remarkable shoaling activity when housed in larger groups, and have lower levels of stress.
In the aquarium they should be housed in a fish tank of at least 20 gallons (76 litres). Since most are kept in community tank setups however, a 29-gallon aquarium is usually regarded as the bare minimum for a small shoal of emperor tetras and another fish species.