Characidae

The Characidae are a family of tropical fish, belonging to the Characiformes (characins). To some extent they serve as a junk-basket category and various forms have been, and probably will continue to be, removed into their own families.

The tetras[?] belong here, comprising the very similar genera Hemigrammus and Hyphessobrycon, as well as a few related forms. These include the cave and neon tetras. The larger piranhas[?] also belong here.