How to Care for a Vampire Tetra

Though its common name is Payara, the Hydrolycus scomberoides fish is often called by nicknames sabretooth tetra and vampire tetra. These fish are native to the Amazon River basin where they inhabit fast-moving waters such as those at the bases of waterfalls. Vampire tetras are not common in the aquarium hobby because they are likely to outgrow the aquarium hobbyist's ability to keep them. If you intend to keep one or more of these fish yourself, though, keep their adult size in mind and be prepared to make alternative arrangements once the fish have outgrown your tank.

  1. Basic Info

    • Though Payara are actually members of the family Cynodontidae, these fish are often referred to as tetras, which in reality belong to the family Charicidae. Payara have long, slender bodies that are typically flat and silver in coloration. The bodies of these fish are widest at the head, and they taper toward the tail. The defining characteristic of these fish is the two-pointed fangs protruding from their lower jaws. Payara use these fangs to impale their prey, which is what earned them the nickname vampire tetra.

    Tank Requirements

    • The vampire tetra can grow up to 46 inches in the wild, but most tank specimens grow no larger than 12 inches. Due to their large size, fish of this species are generally not recommended for aquarium hobbyists unless they are kept only as juveniles and transferred to a more suitable environment when they outgrow their tanks. Even as juveniles, these fish require at least a 100 gallon tank and prefer a temperature between 75 and 82 degrees Fahrenheit (24 to 28 degrees Celsius). Keep pH between 6.0 and 8.0 and maintain water hardness at a level between 2 and 25 degrees DH.

    Tank Decorations

    • The most important aspect of decorating a tank for vampire tetras is to provide plenty of cover -- especially for juvenile fish. Cover can take the form of thickly planted areas of the tank, submerged roots and pieces of driftwood or bogwood. Vampire tetras will use this cover to conceal themselves as they wait to ambush their prey. Because these fish are excellent jumpers, it is also wise to make sure that the tank has a tight-fitting lid.

    Feeding

    • This species is strictly carnivorous -- it obtains most of its nutrients from meat-based foods. In the wild, vampire tetras may feed on a variety of fish species, but the staple in their diet is piranhas. In the home tank, you can give vampire tetras feeder fish up to half the size of the individual tetra. Mass-produced feeder fish like guppies and goldfish are not recommended for the vampire tetra because they are low in nutrients and may carry disease. The best course of action is to raise your own stock of high-quality feeder fish, feeding them a healthy diet so their nutrients will be passed to your vampire tetra.

    Tank Mates

    • While they are small, vampire tetras can be kept with other juveniles of the same species. If you plan to keep such a fish once it reaches maturity, however, it is best to keep it by itself. Keep juvenile vampire tetras with other predatory species such as cichlids and catfish, but don't keep them with any specimens smaller than themselves. These fish are not suitable for a community tank -- any fish that is smaller than the vampire tetra could become its prey.