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.