About 1 1/2 to 2 years ago I got 12 of these from a PetSmart that had them on clearance for $.50 each. Within 3 months only 3 remained. Those three lasted for about another year. I have kept about 12 or 13 species of tetras over the past few years and IME, these have been the most fragile. They were the most timid of all the tetras I've kept. Apart from being very attractive, I liked how they mainly occupied the top third of the tank. I think maybe they need softer water than what I have.