Bloodfin Tetra is a fish native to the Paraná River basin in South America. It’s hardy and easy to care for, making it popular among beginner fish keepers.
Bloodfin tetra usually swims in the upper and middle parts of the water. This fish eats worms, insects, and small crustaceans in their natural environment.
When keeping them in an aquarium, it’s best to have at least five of them together in a tank that is 60 cm or larger.
Bloodfin Tetra Interesting Facts
- Bloodfin tetras are native to South America and have a silver body with red fins.
- These hardy fish eat worms, insects, and small crustaceans, making them popular among beginners.
- In aquariums, they prefer to be in groups of at least five in a 60 cm or larger tank.
- Males develop gill glands and hooks on anal fin rays when they mature.
Bloodfin Tetra Habitat
Bloodfin tetra is a fish found in South America’s Paraná River basin. It lives in freshwater environments and swims close to the bottom.
The ideal pH range for this fish is between 6.0 to 8.0, and it can tolerate water hardness up to 30 dH.
Bloodfin tetras prefer temperatures between 64.4°F to 82.4°F (18°C to 28°C) and thrive in subtropical conditions.
| Water Temperature: | 64.4°F to 82.4°F (18°C to 28°C) |
| Water pH: | 6.0 to 8.0 pH |
| Water Hardness: | Unknown |
Bloodfin Tetra Physical Characteristics
Size: 2.2 inches (5.5 centimeters)
Bloodfin tetras grow up to 2.2 inches (5.5 centimeters) long. This fish has a silver body with red-colored fins, including its tail.
Male bloodfin tetras have gill glands and hooks on their anal fin rays when they mature.
Bloodfin Tetra Reproduction
Bloodfin tetras usually spawn in the early morning in aquariums, after males actively chase females.
The female lays hundreds of transparent eggs (about 700 to 800) that sink to the tank’s bottom. It takes around 20 to 25 hours for these eggs to hatch.
The number of hooks on anal fin rays and how often gill glands appear can indicate a male’s maturity stage.
Bloodfin Tetra Scientific Classification
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Actinopterygii |
| Order: | Characiformes |
| Family: | Characidae |
| Genus: | Aphyocharax |
| Scientific Name: | Aphyocharax anisitsi |
| Also Known As: | Bloodfin Tetra |
| Conservation Status: | Unknown |