Recommendations for bigger tetras

[quix]

I am in the midst of setting up my South American 'biotope tank consisting of a few large plecos, wild discus, corydoras. Environment is driftwood, overhanging branches and some floating plants. Looking to add some tetras for mid water activity but would like to deviate from the usual cardinals/rummynose. Any recommendations for a larger sized tetra which is highly distinctive when shoaling? Thanks!

[illumnae]

bleeding heart tetras?

[RHX]

Congo tetra

[illumnae]

he wants a south american biotope tank congo tetras are from africa

quix, another one you could try is serpae tetra. they grew rather large in my planted discus tank and they're nice and red.

[hwchoy]

yeah the congo and its related species just fast swimmers and about the right size to go with discus.

illumnae got a good point, find the SA versions of congo (can't recall the genus).

[CK Yeo]

This is SA, but it will leave cory and plecos alone, but I am not sure if it will not
terrorize the Discus



This grows large too, but is not SA.


ck

[hwchoy]

the exodon I think is a scale eater?

[bryan]

Chilodus punctatus (Spotted headstander)

[quix]

Thanks for all the interesting suggestions! The exodon looks interesting..although if it's scale eater then i guess no no.
Bleeding heart and serpae might be possible options also..but need to think how red tetras will look in my brownish tank..

[corywink]

red fin columbian tetras

[Enoran]

Bueno Aires Tetra (Hemigrammus anisitsi), must have tough plants inside when considering these tetras ...

And Yeah ... Colombian Tetra is another good choice

I have absolute nightmare with Serpae last time ... They are fin-nippers.

[Matt Ford]

Hemigrammus ulreyi has always been a favourite of mine and will not nip the fins of tankmates unlike some of the species mentioned here.

[Jungle-mania]

Red torpedoes and cigar fish? Haven't seen those in the market for ages. If I recalled 3 line pencil fishes can grow pretty big too if the tank is big too.

[Quixotic]

Except that red torpedoes are not tetras.