Sharptooth tetra
Micralestes acutidens
Also known as Silver tetra, Sharptooth robber, True silver tetra
FreshwaterFish
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
- Family
- Alestidae
- Origin
- Widespread across central and southern Africa, including the Congo, Zambezi, and Okavango systems.
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.
Weekly picks
Tank mates
Sharptooth tetra is a mostly peaceful, schooling species that keeps to the middle. These picks share a community profile with it, are safe together in both directions, and overlap on water type, temperature and pH.
Twig catfish
Farlowella vittata
Freshwater5.9 in (15 cm) · 30 gal (115 L)75–81°F (24–27°C)
Striped panchax
Aplocheilus lineatus
Freshwater4.3 in (11 cm) · 30 gal (115 L)72–77°F (22–25°C)
Red-spotted tetra
Copeina guttata
Freshwater3.9 in (10 cm) · 32 gal (120 L)73–82°F (23–28°C)
Upside-down catfish
Synodontis nigriventris
Freshwater3.9 in (10 cm) · 30 gal (115 L)75–82°F (24–28°C)
Marbled hatchetfish
Carnegiella strigata
Freshwater1.6 in (4 cm) · 32 gal (120 L)68–82°F (20–28°C)
Humphead glassfish
Parambassis pulcinella
Freshwater3.9 in (10 cm) · 32 gal (120 L)73–81°F (23–27°C)
Common questions
What size tank does a Sharptooth tetra need?
A Sharptooth tetra needs at least 32 gal (120 L). It spends most of its time in the middle.
What temperature and pH does a Sharptooth tetra need?
A Sharptooth tetra is comfortable at 72–79°F (22–26°C) with a pH of 6.5–7.5.
How big does a Sharptooth tetra get?
An adult Sharptooth tetra reaches about 3.5 in (9 cm).
Does a Sharptooth tetra need a group?
Yes. A Sharptooth tetra is a schooling species and should be kept in a group, not singly.
Related species
4.9 in (12.5 cm)50 gal (190 L)72–79°F (22–26°C)Long-fin tetra
Brycinus longipinnis
4.9 in (12.5 cm) · 50 gal (190 L)
2.4 in (6 cm)20 gal (75 L)72–79°F (22–26°C)Yellow-tailed Congo tetra
Alestopetersius caudalis
2.4 in (6 cm) · 20 gal (75 L)
3.5 in (9 cm)29 gal (110 L)73–81°F (23–27°C)Brichard's Congo tetra
Alestopetersius brichardi
3.5 in (9 cm) · 29 gal (110 L)
3.9 in (10 cm)42 gal (160 L)73–81°F (23–27°C)Hilgendorf's Congo tetra
Alestopetersius hilgendorfi
3.9 in (10 cm) · 42 gal (160 L)
3.9 in (10 cm)50 gal (190 L)75–81°F (24–27°C)Niger tetra
Arnoldichthys spilopterus
3.9 in (10 cm) · 50 gal (190 L)
3.9 in (10 cm)42 gal (160 L)73–81°F (23–27°C)Orange Congo tetra
Phenacogrammus aurantiacus
3.9 in (10 cm) · 42 gal (160 L)