Blueberry tetra

Care at a glance

Overview

The blueberry tetra is a peaceful schooling fish for the middle of a community tank. It is robust for a recent discovery, though it is best with a little experience.

Caring for the blueberry tetra

Keep blueberry tetras in a group of six or more, in 16 gal (60 L) or larger. They swim in the middle of the tank, so give them bright, open swimming space balanced with shaded planting. A dark backdrop and morning light make the blue stand out.

Give them clear, soft water at 72 to 81°F (22 to 27°C) and a pH of 5.0 to 7.0. They take flake, granules and frozen foods eagerly.

Blueberry tetras are peaceful and safe with other community fish. The blue develops most strongly in a confident, well-fed group. Breeding them takes some effort.

Good to know

The blueberry tetra belongs to the family Characidae. Mature fish develop a wash of deep blue across the body that intensifies with age and condition. That blue is behind the blueberry name, and it is why specialist demand for the fish rose so fast.

In the wild

The blueberry tetra comes from the upper Tapajos basin in Brazil. There it lives in clear, soft water that runs over pale sand.

Common questions

Related species

• 

  Lapis tetra

  Hyphessobrycon cyanotaenia

  1.7 in (4.4 cm) · 16 gal (60 L)

  1.7 in (4.4 cm)16 gal (60 L)72–81°F (22–27°C)

• 

  Melanostichos tetra

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  1.7 in (4.4 cm) · 16 gal (60 L)

  1.7 in (4.4 cm)16 gal (60 L)72–81°F (22–27°C)

• 

  Robustulus tetra

  Hyphessobrycon robustulus

  1.7 in (4.4 cm) · 16 gal (60 L)

  1.7 in (4.4 cm)16 gal (60 L)70–81°F (21–27°C)

• 

  Epicharis tetra

  Hyphessobrycon epicharis

  1.6 in (4 cm) · 16 gal (60 L)

  1.6 in (4 cm)16 gal (60 L)73–82°F (23–28°C)

• 

  Madre de Dios tetra

  Hyphessobrycon nigricinctus

  1.6 in (4 cm) · 15 gal (55 L)

  1.6 in (4 cm)15 gal (55 L)72–81°F (22–27°C)

• 

  Parrot tetra

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  1.6 in (4 cm) · 16 gal (60 L)

  1.6 in (4 cm)16 gal (60 L)72–81°F (22–27°C)