Blueberry tetra
Hyphessobrycon wadai
Also known as Wada's tetra
Care at a glance
- Temperature
- 72–81°F (22–27°C)
- pH
- 5.0–7.0
- Adult size
- 1.7 in (4.2 cm)
- Minimum tank
- 16 gal (60 L)
- Temperament
- Peaceful
- Social behavior
- Schooling
- Swim level
- Middle
- Difficulty
- Medium
- Breeding
- Medium
- Rarity
- Common
- Origin
- Upper Tapajos basin, Brazil
- Family
- Characidae
Overview
Keep six or more; blue develops strongest in confident, well-fed groups. It takes flake, granules, and frozen foods eagerly and is robust for a recent discovery. Give it a dark backdrop and morning light and the blueberry effect is genuinely startling.
In the wild
The blueberry tetra comes from the upper Tapajos basin, where clear, soft water runs over pale sand. It shows best in similar conditions: 22 to 27 degrees Celsius, pH 5.0 to 7.0, bright open swimming space balanced with shaded planting.
Good to know
Hyphessobrycon wadai was described in 2016 and reaches about 4.2 centimeters. Mature fish develop a wash of deep blue across the body that intensifies with age and condition, the trait behind the blueberry name and the reason it rocketed into specialist demand.
Did you know
Few freshwater fish are truly blue, and this tetra was described only in 2016, meaning one of the bluest community fish available entered the hobby within the last decade.
Tank mates
Blueberry tetra is a peaceful, schooling species that keeps to the middle. These picks match on water type, temperature, pH, size and temperament.
Cardinal toothcarp
Brachyrhaphis roseniFreshwater2.4 in (6 cm)16 gal (60 L)72–86°F (22–30°C)
Boeseman's cory
Hoplisoma boesemaniFreshwater2.2 in (5.5 cm)16 gal (60 L)73–81°F (23–27°C)
False network catfish
Brochis sodalisFreshwater2.2 in (5.5 cm)16 gal (60 L)72–79°F (22–26°C)
Guapore cory
Gastrodermus guaporeFreshwater2 in (5 cm)16 gal (60 L)72–82°F (22–28°C)
Cardinal tetra
Paracheirodon axelrodiFreshwater1.8 in (4.5 cm)16 gal (60 L)73–84°F (23–29°C)
Graceful rasbora
Trigonopoma gracileFreshwater2 in (5 cm)16 gal (60 L)72–79°F (22–26°C)
Common questions
What size tank does a Blueberry tetra need?
A Blueberry tetra needs at least 16 gal (60 L). It spends most of its time in the middle.
What temperature and pH do Blueberry tetra need?
Blueberry tetra are comfortable at 72–81°F (22–27°C) with a pH of 5.0–7.0.
How big do Blueberry tetra get?
An adult Blueberry tetra reaches about 1.7 in (4.2 cm).
Do Blueberry tetra need a group?
Yes. Blueberry tetra are a schooling species and should be kept in a group, not singly.
Where to buy
Some links may not be the exact species or variety.
- Aquatic Arts Freshwater fish, shrimp and snails with an arrive-alive guarantee
- Imperial Tropicals Freshwater fish and inverts bred at a Florida hatchery
- The Wet Spot Tropical Fish Large selection of quarantined tropical freshwater fish, with live arrival guarantee and Next Day Air flat rate shipping to all US locations
…or ask your local fish store.
Appears in
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Related species
Lapis tetra
Hyphessobrycon cyanotaeniaFreshwater1.7 in (4.4 cm)16 gal (60 L)72–81°F (22–27°C)
Melanostichos tetra
Hyphessobrycon melanostichosFreshwater1.7 in (4.4 cm)16 gal (60 L)72–81°F (22–27°C)Robustulus tetra
Hyphessobrycon robustulusFreshwater1.7 in (4.4 cm)16 gal (60 L)70–81°F (21–27°C)
Epicharis tetra
Hyphessobrycon epicharisFreshwater1.6 in (4 cm)16 gal (60 L)73–82°F (23–28°C)
Madre de Dios tetra
Hyphessobrycon nigricinctusFreshwater1.6 in (4 cm)15 gal (55 L)72–81°F (22–27°C)
Peruvian tetra
Hyphessobrycon peruvianusFreshwater1.6 in (4 cm)16 gal (60 L)72–81°F (22–27°C)