Saber Tooth Tetra Payara

AquariumFish.com offers one of the scariest-looking fish from the Amazon, also called the vampire tetra for the way they wait, hanging vampire-like, for their prey, or the payara, for something we are trying to figure out (if you know, please let us know). Saber-tooth tetras are strong predators and will grow to 20 inches. These predator tetras require live food such as feeder guppies and ghost shrimp. Even at the smaller three-inch size, the sharp teeth are visible. Small feeder white clouds or small feeder guppies are best for small payara, larger fish can handle larger feeders, and these fish may adapt to frozen food, but not always.

Quick Facts

Care Guide

Tank setup: These are large, fast predators that need powerful filtration, strong current, high oxygen and a heavy, tight lid. They are skittish, so avoid sudden movements and bright lights.

Feeding: Young fish may need meaty foods at first, and many can be trained to take frozen foods and pellets. Avoid feeder goldfish, which can carry disease.

Tankmates: Keep them only with large, robust fish too big to swallow, such as large catfish, arowanas and big cichlids.

Good to know: These fish have long, saber-like teeth and are popular with monster-fish keepers, but they grow very large and need experienced care.