Azure tetra
Heterocharax virgulatus
Also known as Virgulatus tetra
FreshwaterFish
Care at a glance
- Temperature
- 73–82°F
- 23–28°C
- pH
- 4.5–6.8
- Adult size
- 1.6 in
- 4 cm
- Minimum tank
- 14 gal
- 54 L
- Temperament
- Peaceful
- Social behavior
- Schooling
- Tankmates
- With caution
- Swim level
- Middle
- Diet
- Carnivore
- Difficulty
- Medium
- Breeding
- No record
- Rarity
- Rare
- Family
- Acestrorhynchidae
- Origin
- Orinoco and Negro blackwaters
Overview
The azure tetra is a tiny schooling characin for a dim, soft-water blackwater tank. It is best with a little experience.
Did you know
The azure tetra was described only in 2000, and it is nearly see-through. A cool blue shine plays over its glassy body, which is why the trade calls it the azure or sapphire tetra. It carries almost no true pigment.
Caring for the azure tetra
Keep azure tetras in a group of six or more, in a tank of at least 14 gal (54 L). They school in the middle of the tank, and a tight group is the whole display.
Give them soft, tannin-stained water with driftwood, leaf litter and low light. Dark water and gentle lighting bring out the blue far better than a bright tank does. Keep the water at 73 to 82°F (23 to 28°C) and distinctly acidic, at a pH of 4.5 to 6.8.
Feed small foods such as microworm, baby brine shrimp, crushed flake and fine frozen items. The azure tetra is peaceful toward fish it cannot eat, but it is a small predator. Keep it away from newly hatched fry and the smallest shrimp, and give it calm, similarly small companions. Its spawning has not been documented in captivity.
Good to know
The azure tetra, Heterocharax virgulatus, is a small predatory characin in the family Acestrorhynchidae. The species name virgulatus refers to a fine streak or stripe, and the fish is also sold as the virgulatus tetra. It is a micro-predator despite its size.
In the wild
The azure tetra lives in dim, soft, acidic blackwater in the Orinoco and Negro basins. Its faint shine stands out in the tea-colored water.
Common questions
What size tank does an azure tetra need?
An azure tetra needs at least 14 gal (54 L). It spends most of its time in the middle.
What temperature and pH does an azure tetra need?
An azure tetra is comfortable at 73–82°F (23–28°C) with a pH of 4.5–6.8.
What does an azure tetra eat?
An azure tetra eats small foods such as microworm, baby brine shrimp, crushed flake and fine frozen items. It is a small predator.
How big does an azure tetra get?
An adult azure tetra reaches about 1.6 in (4 cm).
Does an azure tetra need a group?
Yes. An azure tetra is a schooling species and should be kept in a group, not singly.
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