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
- Diet
- Carnivore
- Difficulty
- Difficult
- Breeding
- No record
- Rarity
- Very rare
- Family
- Cynodontidae
- Origin
- Brazil, Bolivia, Peru, Ecuador
Overview
The vampire tetra is a large, muscular predator for the experienced keeper with a very big tank.
Did you know
The two fangs in a vampire tetra's lower jaw can reach around 4 cm long. It uses them to spear prey through the body. When it closes its mouth, the fangs slide into matching pockets in the upper jaw, so they never stop it feeding.
Caring for the vampire tetra
Give the vampire tetra a long tank of at least 185 gal (700 L). It is built for open, moving water, so use powerful filtration to drive a strong current. Keep the layout simple, with driftwood and a large, clear swimming lane. Fit a tight lid, since it is a powerful jumper.
Keep the water warm, at 75 to 82°F (24 to 28°C), with a pH of 5.0 to 7.5. The vampire tetra is a fish-eater by nature. Feed meaty foods such as whole frozen fish, prawns and strips of seafood, and wean new imports off live food over time.
Keep it alone, or in a small group of three or more where there is room. 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 tank mates, if any. There is no record of it being bred in home aquariums.
Good to know
The vampire tetra belongs to Cynodontidae, the dogtooth tetras, a family of streamlined Amazon predators. It is also called the payara or sabre-tooth tetra. Wild fish grow a little bigger than aquarium fish. Much larger reports usually trace back to its bigger relative, Hydrolycus armatus.
In the wild
The vampire tetra ranges through the central and upper Amazon in Brazil, Bolivia, Peru and Ecuador. It holds in the flowing channels of both clear and blackwater rivers. 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.
What does a vampire tetra eat?
A vampire tetra eats meaty foods such as whole frozen fish, prawns and strips of seafood. Wean new imports off live food over time.
How big does a vampire tetra get?
An adult vampire tetra reaches about 11.8 in (30 cm).
Related species
35 in (89 cm)1,057 gal (4,000 L)75–82°F (24–28°C)Payara
Hydrolycus armatus
35 in (89 cm) · 1,057 gal (4,000 L)
31.5 in (80 cm)660 gal (2,500 L)73–82°F (23–28°C)Biara
Rhaphiodon vulpinus
31.5 in (80 cm) · 660 gal (2,500 L)
11.8 in (30 cm)53 gal (200 L)73–82°F (23–28°C)African knifefish
Xenomystus nigri
11.8 in (30 cm) · 53 gal (200 L)
11.8 in (30 cm)85 gal (320 L)75–84°F (24–29°C)Brown ghost knifefish
Apteronotus leptorhynchus
11.8 in (30 cm) · 85 gal (320 L)
11.8 in (30 cm)119 gal (450 L)72–79°F (22–26°C)Dot-dash leporinus
Leporinus steyermarki
11.8 in (30 cm) · 119 gal (450 L)
11.8 in (30 cm)159 gal (600 L)73–82°F (23–28°C)Flagtail prochilodus
Semaprochilodus taeniurus
11.8 in (30 cm) · 159 gal (600 L)