The Characidae or Characins are a family of freshwater subtropical and tropical fish, belonging to the Characiformes. They originate in the Americas from southwestern Texas and Mexico through Central and South America. They vary in length with the smallest growing to a maximum length of 0.5 in (13 mm).

To some extent the family serves 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.

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