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Nambiquara royal tetra

Inpaichthys nambiquara

Also known as Hasemania nambiquara, Nambiquara tetra

FreshwaterFish

Nambiquara royal tetra (Inpaichthys nambiquara)
The Wet Spot Tropical Fish · Used with permission

Care at a glance

Temperature
73–81°F
23–27°C
pH
5.5–7.0
Adult size
1.3 in
3.4 cm
Minimum tank
14 gal
54 L
Temperament
Peaceful
Social behavior
Schooling
Swim level
Middle
Difficulty
Medium
Breeding
Egg scatterer
Rarity
Rare
Family
Characidae
Origin
Upper Juruena basin, Mato Grosso, Brazil

Overview

The Nambiquara royal tetra is a small, peaceful schooling fish, kept much like its close relative the royal tetra. It is a step up from the easiest fish.

Did you know

The Nambiquara royal tetra was moved out of the silvertip genus by a broad 2024 study of the characins. It went into Inpaichthys, the royal tetra's own small genus. In effect, the study promoted this modest little fish into aquarium royalty.

Caring for the Nambiquara royal tetra

Keep Nambiquara royal tetras in a group of at least eight to ten. A group is comfortable in 14 gal (54 L) or more, with planting and open swimming room. A dark substrate, driftwood, leaf litter and dim light from floating plants bring out their violet-blue sheen and keep the group confident.

Give them soft, warm water at 73 to 81°F (23 to 27°C), with a pH of 5.5 to 7.0 and low hardness. Gentle flow and clean, stable water keep them healthy. Feed small foods, such as micro pellets and crushed flake, with regular frozen or live daphnia, cyclops and baby brine shrimp.

Nambiquara royal tetras are peaceful and swim in the middle of the tank. Pair them with other small, calm community fish, such as pencilfish, small rasboras, dwarf cichlids and corydoras. They are egg scatterers. Their royal tetra relatives breed readily, but breeding records for this species itself are limited.

Good to know

The Nambiquara royal tetra was first described as Hasemania nambiquara, in the family Characidae. Its name honors the Nambiquara people of its home region in Mato Grosso.

In the wild

The Nambiquara royal tetra comes from small, clear forest creeks in the upper Rio Juruena system. That river belongs to the Rio Tapajos basin, in Mato Grosso, Brazil.

Weekly picks

Tank mates

The Nambiquara royal tetra is a peaceful, schooling species that keeps to the middle. These picks share a community profile with it, are safe together in both directions, and overlap on water type, temperature and pH.

Check the full mix in the stocking calculator

Common questions

What size tank does a Nambiquara royal tetra need?

A Nambiquara royal tetra needs at least 14 gal (54 L). It spends most of its time in the middle.

What temperature and pH does a Nambiquara royal tetra need?

A Nambiquara royal tetra is comfortable at 73–81°F (23–27°C) with a pH of 5.5–7.0.

What does a Nambiquara royal tetra eat?

A Nambiquara royal tetra eats small foods, such as micro pellets and crushed flake. Give it regular frozen or live daphnia, cyclops and baby brine shrimp as well.

How big does a Nambiquara royal tetra get?

An adult Nambiquara royal tetra reaches about 1.3 in (3.4 cm).

Does a Nambiquara royal tetra need a group?

Yes. A Nambiquara royal tetra is a schooling species and should be kept in a group, not singly.

How does a Nambiquara royal tetra breed?

The Nambiquara royal tetra is an egg-scattering spawner. Its royal tetra relatives breed readily, but breeding records for this species itself are limited.

Related species