From Aqua Guide, the free encyclopedia
Cochu's Blue Tetra
Boehlkea fredcochui
- Temperature
- 22–27 °C
- pH
- 6 – 7.5
- Min. tank size
- 110 L
- Lifespan
- 2-3 years
- Diet
- omnivore
- Care level
- moderate
| Scientific classification | |
|---|---|
| Scientific Name: | Boehlkea fredcochui |
| Family: | Stevardiidae |
| Origin: | South America (upper Amazon, Brazil and Peru) |
| Care Characteristics | |
| Care Level: | moderate |
| Diet: | omnivore |
| Max Size: | 5.50 cm |
| Water Type: | freshwater |
| Temp Group: | tropical |
| Temperament: | semi aggressive |
| Min Group: | 6+ together |
| Varieties: | No cultivated strains — the wild-type fish is what is sold, and its appeal is entirely the structural blue of a moving shoal. Most stock is commercially bred, and quality varies; some farmed lines are noticeably paler than others. The genus is small and this is the only member in general circulation. It is named for Ferdinand Cochu of the Paramount Aquarium, the importer who brought it into the hobby around 1956, and the species is sometimes labelled the blue tetra or the Cochu tetra. Confusion arises with other blue-toned characins sold under similar names. The blue emperor tetra, Inpaichthys kerri, is a different fish — smaller, calmer and violet-blue rather than powder blue — and the various Knodus and Boehlkea imports appear sporadically. For a peaceful blue-toned shoal in a community tank, the blue emperor or the diamond tetra are the easier choices; this species needs the space and the numbers. |
| Lifespan: | 2-3 years |
Quick Tips
- Bioload:Low
- Min Tank:110 L
- Substrate:Dark sand/gravel; planted with open swimming space
- Plant Safe:Plant-safe
- Filtration:Moderate
Cochu's Blue Tetra (Boehlkea fredcochui) is a species of fish in the family Stevardiidae. It is native to South America (upper Amazon, Brazil and Peru). Cochu's blue tetra is a shoal of shimmering powder blue under good light and a plain silver fish under bad light, which explains why it disappoints people who buy it from a bright shop tank. It reaches around 5.5 cm total length and comes from the Amazon basin, having entered the hobby around 1956. The name commemorates Ferdinand Cochu of the Paramount Aquarium, the importer who introduced it. It is an active schooling fish requiring groups of at least six, though more is better. It is also not quite the peaceful community tetra it appears. It may nip fins when stressed or during feeding, and it can harass tank mates in undersized tanks — both of which are group-size and space problems rather than temperament ones.
Compatibility
- Temperament
- semi aggressive
- Keep in
- Groups of 6+
- Swims
- middle
- Fin nipper
- Yes
- Delicate fins
- No
Species similar to Cochu's Blue Tetra
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