The Emperor Tetra is a peaceful community fish that grows much larger that other species of Tetras. It is easy to distinguish between the male and female emperors, the males have a larger dorsal and caudal fin and the females are more rounded and shorter than the males.
Popular Name: Emperor Tetra Species: Nematobrycon palmeri
Picture of a Emperor Tetra
Emperor Tetra
Facts - Information - Picture - Video
Profile of the Emperor Tetra
This Profile contains interesting facts and information about the Emperor Tetra species.
Size: Up to 5cm
Fish Tank conditions: PH 5-7.7
Temperament: Good community fish, unlike other tetras is happy to be kept alone or in a pair
Diet / Feeding: Bloodworms, Daphnia, Dried or Frozen food
Habitat: Freshwater Rivers and Streams
Behaviour: Placid, good community fish
Range: Rio San Juan and Rio Atrata rivers, Western Columbia, South America
Scientific Classification of the Emperor Tetra
Definition: Scientific classification, or biological classification, is how biologists group and categorize species of organisms with shared physical characteristics. Scientific classification belongs to the science of taxonomy.
Species: Nematobrycon palmeri
Popular Names: Emperor Tetra
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Osteichthyes
Order: Characiformes
Family: Characidae
Interesting Facts and Information - How do you identify the sex of a Emperor Tetra?
The males and females of many fish species have different colors or different shaped bodies. But there are also other fish species where there is no visible difference. Its sometimes tricky being an ichthyologist!
Interesting Facts and Information - Why are Emperor Tetra slimy?
Emperor Tetra secrete a type of mucus, or slime, from their skin. This slime provides protection against parasites and infections and helps the Emperor Tetra to move through the water faster. Some fish species also release toxins in their slime which ward off enemy attacks. Other fish species use their slime to feed their young. Interesting Facts and Information - Why do Emperor Tetra have gills?
Gills enable the Emperor Tetra to breathe. Gills consist of thin sheets of tissue containing blood vessels. As water passes over the gills oxygen is absorbed into the blood stream Carbon dioxide passes out into the water. The gills are protected by a large bony plate called an operculum. Some fish species however have lungs and breathe air.
Interesting Facts and Information - Why do the Emperor Tetra have fins?
A fin is an external appendage or "limb" of a fish. Fins are used for directing, stabilizing, or propelling the different fish species in water. Numbers of fins vary between fish species, but there are usually seven. Each of the fins on a fish are designed to perform a specific function:
Dorsal fins - The dorsal fin is located on the backs of fishes. The Emperor Tetra has Dorsal fins to lend stability in swimming.
Ventral fins. The ventral fin is located on the pelvic area of fishes. The Emperor Tetra has Ventral fins to lend stability in swimming.
Caudal fins. The Caudal fin is located on the tail area of fishes. The Emperor Tetra Fish has Caudal fins to propel through the water.
Pectoral fins. The Pectoral fin is located on the breast area of fishes. The Emperor Tetra has Pectoral fins to for locomotion and side to side movement.
Emperor Tetra
Interesting Information about the Emperor Tetra
Facts about Fish Species - Why are the Emperor Tetra slimy?
Why does the Emperor Tetra have gills?
Facts about Fish Species - Why do Emperor Tetra's have fins?
