Are you thinking of adding a little color to your fish tank? If so, Fruit Tetra could be the perfect addition to spice up the color palette of your aquarium.
The easiest way to describe a Fruit Tetra would be to say that they are White Skirt Tetras that have been dyed. In other words, they are not natural fish species. However, there is a lot more information on them that will help you decide whether they are the best fit for your fish tank!
Hence, before you decide on purchasing Fruit Tetras, you need to have all the relevant information. For instance, how many Fruit Tetras should you get, what should you feed them, are they easy to care for, will they get along with the other fish in your tank, what are the ideal water parameters for Fruit Tetras?
Below I have collected all the information you would need to make an educated decision! The following information will help you decide whether the addition of Fruit Tetras is the best bet. First, let me begin with some basic facts about Fruit Tetras.
What is Fruit Tetra?
Simply put, a Fruit Tetra is a White Skirt Tetra, with some artificial colors added to their skin! Usually, people who dye white skirt tetras use pastel colors. Then they use fruit names for the fish, like strawberry tetra, lime tetra, grape tetra, blueberry tetra, etc.
Moreover, Fruit Tetras can be dyed different colors via different methods. However, two of the most popular methods are dipping and injecting. There are two other methods, which entail tattooing the fish and leaving the fish in water containing high levels of artificial hormones, which makes their body gain different colors.
Now, some animal rights organizations have stated that dyeing fish like this is animal cruelty. People have also argued that they have purchased dyed fish from stores without knowing that that is not their natural color. Hence, it is important to know exactly how you feel about this process of dying White Skirt Tetras before you decide on purchasing Fruit Tetras.
Although dipping the fish in the dye is harmless, there might be slight problems arising from it. At the end of the day, the fish is getting chemicals on its body.
Hence, even though the color fades away over time, dipping the White Skirt Tetra in the dye is the most harmless way of creating a Fruit Tetra.
However, the process of injecting, tattooing, and leaving the fish in water with high levels of artificial hormones, are much more harmful to the fish and create colors that are more permanent.
Therefore, you should be aware of all of this information, before you invest your time and money on Fruit Tetras!
Are Fruit Tetras the Best Fit For You?
Let us now move on to figuring out whether Fruit Tetras are the best additions to your fish tank. Of course, they look beautiful because of their subtle shades! But are you positive that they will be the perfect fit for your fish tank?
Will They Get Along with the Other Fish in Your Tank?
Like most other Tetras, Fruit Tetras are also very peaceful fish. They usually make a great addition to your fish tank. However, it is important to note that because they are small (they grow up to 5.5 cm or 2.1 inches), you cannot place them in a tank with large, aggressive fish.
Additionally, it is also useful to note that they can be classified as semi-aggressive at times. This is simply because they tend to nip at their fins. This may not seem like a big deal at first because their fins do grow back again. However, the reason they are nipping at their fins is usually due to stress. And since high levels of stress could kill the fish eventually, it may be a bigger issue.
Note: Read below for creating the ideal living conditions for Fruit Tetras.
Best Tankmates for Fruit Tetras
As I mentioned earlier, you should avoid keeping Fruit Tetras in the same tank as larger, more aggressive fish. However, because Tetras are peaceful schooling fish, they get along with almost all other fish that are about their size. They also love their downtime, so keeping them with fish that like to mind their own business is the best fit for them!
For instance, the following at the best tankmates for Fruit Tetras:
- Neon Tetras
- Zebra Danios
- Corydoras Catfish (also known as Cory Cat)
- small barbs that grow up to 6 inches long
- Gouramis
- Harlequin Rasboras
- Kuhli
Not only will they be able to live peacefully in the same tank, but they may also enjoy socializing with each other from time to time!
However, make sure that you do not put them together with slow-moving fish either. For example, it would be a huge disaster if you put them in the same tank as Angelfish or guppies.
Moreover, if they showed aggressive behavior towards other fish in your fish tank, then you can solve this issue simply by adding more Fruit Tetras to create a bigger school of Fruit Tetras.
How Long Can They Go Without Food?
Do you need to travel a lot for work? Do you feel like the travel bug has bitten you frequently? If yes, then you should also know how long your Fruit Tetras could survive without food, while you are away.
A simple answer to this question is that if there is a lack of live plants in your fish tank and you are using filters of so-so quality, then your Fruit Tetras can survive for a week without food.
However, if your filters are of top quality, that can maintain the quality of the water for a longer period, and other conditions of the fish tank are ideal, then Fruit Tetras can live for up to three weeks without food.
You can also read “How Long Can Neon Tetras Live Without Food?” for more information. This article will guide you on how to ensure that your Tetras’ lives are safe while you are away.
How Many Fruit Tetras Should I Keep Together?
The important thing to note is that the larger the school of fish the more comfortable your Tetras will be. Hence, if you have a fish tank that is at least 20 gallons, then you can opt for keeping a school of 15-20 Fruit Tetras.
Although, remember that each Tetra requires 1 gallon of water to remain their happy little selves!
What Should I Feed My Fruit Tetras?
Fruit Tetras love to eat, hence, make sure to feed them once a day when you are around.
Moreover, for Fruit Tetras, anything from brine shrimp to freeze-dried and flaked food should be part of their standard diet. However, as a supplement, feeding your Fruit Tetras freeze-dried bloodworms and tubifex worms is important too.
Also Read: Tetra Fish Diet | What do Tetra Fish Eat: A Complete Guide
How Often Should I Feed My Fruit Tetras?
When it comes to the frequency of feeding your Fruit Tetras, feeding them once a day is the best bet. However, there can be exceptions to this.
For instance, if you are away from your fish for a few days or weeks, then it might be a good idea to find replacements or alternatives to feeding them every day. Again, you can check out “How Long Can Neon Tetras Live Without Food?” for more information on this!
Related Article: Glowlight Tetra’s Diet: How Often To Feed Them And Best Food?
Are Fruit Tetras Easy to Care For?
If in case you have never purchased a Tetra fish before, you need to know only one thing about Tetras: they are extremely easy to care for!
You may find, with a little research that all Tetras are very peaceful fish. They are mild-mannered and love to keep to themselves when they are not swimming with their kind in the tank.
Moreover, because they can go for weeks without food, given ideal tank conditions, you could say that Tetras, including Fruit Tetras, are very easy to care for.
Hence, I would recommend you get Fruit Tetras even if you are a beginner aquarium hobbyist.
What Tank Should I Get For Fruit Tetras?
Now, because Fruit Tetras are schooling fish that are best kept in groups of 15-20, it would be best if you got a tank that was at least 20 gallons. However, if you are planning to keep other fish with the Fruit Tetra, then you will need a bigger tank than a 20-gallon tank!
However, once you get a big enough tank, it is important to create an ideal environment for the Fruit Tetras. For instance, you can imitate their natural habitat by adding live plants, rocks, and driftwood branches. This will allow them to have their downtime and enable them to maintain their stress levels.
Moreover, you also need to remember to provide them with 12 hours of light and 12 hours of darkness. This will allow them to get their rest. If they are exposed to light for too long, it increases their stress levels.
Finally, it is important to note that an increase in their stress levels is also a cause for them to perish. Therefore, once you purchase the right tank, make sure that their ideal living conditions are also given equal priority!
Also Read: Best Tank Size For Tetra Fish? Neon, Cardinal, and Other Similar Tetras
Ideal Water Parameters for Fruit Tetras
The ideal water parameters are necessary for your Fruit Tetras to live a happy and healthy life. Hence, below are some of the ideal water parameters that you may want to make note of!
- pH: 6-7.5
- Temperature: 75°F – 80°F (24°C – 27°C)
- Water Hardness: 5° to 20° dH
Also Read: Water Parameters for Tetra Fish: Stable Water Condition
Final Words
With the above information, you are now ready to decide whether you should purchase a Fruit Tetra for your tank.
It is useful to note that Fruit Tetras are easy to care for and will live somewhere between three to five years if given the best care. All you need to do is to ensure that the fish tank imitates their natural habitat so that they feel at home.
Additionally, they are also able to tolerate a wide range of water and temperature parameters, which makes them great as additions to your existing fish tank too!
Hence, if you are feeling like a little pop of color will do your fish tank good, then you should definitely opt for Fruit Tetras!
Recommended Article: Fun And Interesting Facts About Neon Tetra
