From Aqua Guide, the free encyclopedia
Bloodfin Tetra
Aphyocharax anisitsi
- Temperature
- 18–28 °C
- pH
- 6 – 8
- Min. tank size
- 54 L
- Lifespan
- 5-8 years
- Diet
- omnivore
- Care level
- easy
| Scientific classification | |
|---|---|
| Scientific Name: | Aphyocharax anisitsi |
| Family: | Characidae |
| Origin: | South America (Paraná basin, Argentina and Brazil) |
| Care Characteristics | |
| Care Level: | easy |
| Diet: | omnivore |
| Max Size: | 6.00 cm |
| Water Type: | freshwater |
| Temp Group: | subtropical |
| Temperament: | peaceful |
| Min Group: | 6+ together |
| Varieties: | No established cultivated strains — this is a wild-type fish, and the appeal is the contrast between a plain silver body and red fins. Some farms select for stronger red, and quality varies, but there are no named varieties. Almost all trade stock is commercially bred, which is how a subtropical South American fish became a fixture in shops worldwide. Taxonomy has moved and old names persist. The species was long known as Aphyocharax rubripinnis and is still labelled that way; Aphyocharax anisitsi is current. Two relatives appear in the hobby. Aphyocharax rathbuni, the redflank or rathbun's bloodfin, is similar with more extensive red on the body. Aphyocharax paraguayensis, the dawn tetra or white spot tetra, is the plainer relative with a dark caudal spot. For an unheated planted tank, the bloodfin sits alongside white clouds, gold barbs and odessa barbs as one of the few genuinely subtropical community fish available — and it is the only characin among them. |
| Lifespan: | 5-8 years |
Quick Tips
- Bioload:Low to medium
- Min Tank:54 L
- Substrate:Gravel or sand; planted with open swimming space
- Plant Safe:Plant-safe
- Filtration:Moderate
Bloodfin Tetra (Aphyocharax anisitsi) is a species of fish in the family Characidae. It is native to South America (Paraná basin, Argentina and Brazil). The bloodfin tetra is a silver fish with red fins, and its useful property is temperature: it ranges from 18 to 28 °C (64–82 °F), which means it can be maintained without a heater in many climates. That puts it in a small group of genuinely subtropical community fish, alongside white clouds, gold barbs and odessa barbs — and unlike most of them, it is a South American characin, from the Paraná basin. It reaches 55 mm standard length and is properly long-lived: specimens have been documented at over ten years, which is exceptional for a small tetra. It is peaceful, hardy and undemanding about water chemistry. The males carry a species-specific oddity worth knowing about — small hooks on the pelvic and anal fin rays, which catch in fine nets.
Compatibility
- Temperament
- peaceful
- Keep in
- Groups of 6+
- Swims
- middle
- Fin nipper
- Yes
- Delicate fins
- No
Species similar to Bloodfin Tetra
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