There are over 1500 species of Characins that are found in South America and Africa. Characins are the second
most popular aquarium species. Aquariasts enjoy these fish because of their
schooling tendencies and their ease of keeping. Characins come from nine
different families, seven of which are included in this book. They consist of:
the Alestiidae (African Tetra), the Characidae (Characins), the Citharinidae,
the Ctenoluciidae (Pike-Characins), the Curimatidae, the Gasteropelecidae (Freshwater
Hatchetfishes), and the Lebiasinidae families.