Tetra is a word commonly used in scientific literature to describe a group of small freshwater fish that are popular in the aquarium hobby. However, there are several synonyms that can be used to describe these fish. For example, they can be called characins, a term that refers to the larger family to which tetras belong. Alternatively, they can be called schooling fish or shoaling fish, to describe their social behavior. Some specific tetra species have their own common names, such as Neon tetras or Cardinal tetras. Regardless of the name used, tetras are a colorful and popular addition to any aquarium.