Sharptooth tetra

Micralestes acutidens

Also known as Silver tetra, Sharptooth robber, True silver tetra

FreshwaterFish

Sharptooth tetra (Micralestes acutidens) — (c) Wynand Uys, some rights reserved (CC BY) · cc-by

Care at a glance

Temperature: 72–79°F (22–26°C)
pH: 6.5–7.5
Adult size: 3.5 in (9 cm)
Minimum tank: 32 gal (120 L)
Temperament: Mostly peaceful
Social behavior: Schooling
Swim level: Middle
Difficulty: Easy
Breeding: No record
Rarity: Very rare
Origin: Widespread across central and southern Africa, including the Congo, Zambezi, and Okavango systems.
Family: Alestidae

Overview

Keep this active silver schooler in a group of at least 6 in a long tank with plenty of open swimming space. It is a strong, restless swimmer that appreciates gentle flow and a secure lid. It is mostly peaceful but may nip long fins, so avoid slow, trailing finned tankmates.

In the wild

Lives in open, well oxygenated surface waters of African rivers and lakes. It shoals near the top and feeds heavily on insects that land on the water. The water ranges from soft to moderately hard and is usually flowing.

Good to know

Micralestes acutidens is a silvery African tetra in the family Alestidae, named for its conspicuous, pointed teeth. It reaches around 9 cm but is often smaller in aquaria. It is a gregarious, open water schooler.

Did you know

It hangs near the surface waiting for insects to fall or land on the water, then darts up to snatch them, using those sharp teeth to grip slippery prey.