tetra
1
7.4
- noun
- /ˈtɛtrə/
:
tetra
- I decided to add a few neon tetras to my fish tank for some vibrant color.
- neon tetras
- tetra fish
Examples
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The aquarium was filled with colorful tetras swimming in small schools.
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The lone surviving neon tetra—the rest had died in the move—looked at me and darted away.
Fiction book (1998) -
Like the tetra fish.
-
I got some neon tetras in there that are still alive.
Fiction book (1994) -
It's a Mexican tetra...
-
Guppies to tetras, the exotics were mixed with the generic golds.
Fiction book (2001) -
Many hobbyists enjoy keeping tetras because they are easy to care for and lively.
Synonyms
A small bright freshwater fish with red and blue stripes kept in fish tanks
A small bright freshwater fish with red and blue stripes
A group of small, colorful freshwater fish that includes the neon tetra
A small freshwater fish from South America often kept in aquariums for bright colors
Compounds
Surface Forms
Etymology
Tetra comes from the Greek tetra meaning 'four', because that root was used in old scientific names for several small, bright fish. So, the short name tetra stuck and now means a small, colorful freshwater fish kept in home aquariums.