Vampire tetra
Hydrolycus scomberoides
Also known as sabre tooth tetra
FreshwaterFish
Care at a glance
- Temperature
- 75–82°F
- 24–28°C
- pH
- 5.0–7.5
- Adult size
- 11.8 in
- 30 cm
- Minimum tank
- 185 gal
- 700 L
- Temperament
- Mostly peaceful
- Social behavior
- Social
- Tankmates
- With caution
- Swim level
- Middle
- Difficulty
- Difficult
- Breeding
- No record
- Rarity
- Very rare
- Family
- Cynodontidae
- Origin
- Brazil, Bolivia, Peru, Ecuador
Overview
The vampire tetra, also called the payara or sabre-tooth tetra, is a large, muscular predator for the experienced keeper with a very big tank. It can be kept alone or in a small group of three or more where there is room, and it is calm toward fish too big to be seen as food, but it will eat anything that fits in its mouth. Choose only large, fast tankmates if any. It is a fish-eater by nature, so expect to feed meaty foods such as whole frozen fish, prawns, and strips of seafood, weaning imports off live food over time. Give it a long tank of at least 700 liters with strong current and a tight lid, since it is a powerful jumper.
In the wild
This predator ranges through the central and upper Amazon in Brazil, Bolivia, Peru, and Ecuador, holding in the flowing channels of both clear and blackwater rivers. It is built for open, moving water rather than still tanks. Recreate strong flow with powerful filtration and aim for warm water at 24 to 28 C and a pH from about 5.0 to 7.5. Keep the layout simple and open, with driftwood and a large clear swimming lane, so this fast fish has the room and current it expects.
Good to know
The vampire tetra belongs to Cynodontidae, the dogtooth tetras, a family of streamlined Amazon predators. It reaches around 30 cm in the aquarium and a little more in the wild, with much larger reports usually tracing back to its bigger relative Hydrolycus armatus. Its most distinctive feature is a pair of long fangs in the lower jaw that slot into sockets in the upper jaw when its mouth closes. It is an obligate fish-eater and has no record of being bred in home aquaria.
Did you know
The two fangs jutting from a vampire tetra's lower jaw can reach around 4 cm long and are used to spear prey through the body. When the fish closes its mouth the fangs slide into matching pockets in the upper jaw, so they never stop it feeding. In the wild much of its diet is smaller fish, including young piranhas.
Common questions
What size tank does a Vampire tetra need?
A Vampire tetra needs at least 185 gal (700 L). It spends most of its time in the middle.
What temperature and pH does a Vampire tetra need?
A Vampire tetra is comfortable at 75–82°F (24–28°C) with a pH of 5.0–7.5.
How big does a Vampire tetra get?
An adult Vampire tetra reaches about 11.8 in (30 cm).
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