Bloodfin Tetra (Aphyocharax anisitsi)
Bloodfin Tetras make great additions to community aquariums because they are friendly, active, hardy, and relatively peaceful. These Tetras are one of the bigger Tetra species. Species such as Angelfish or Guppies with longer, wider and more intricate fins may be nipped by them.
Beginners will find these Tetras a good choice because of their hardiness. It would be great if there was plant cover, along with floating species to diffuse the lighting.
It is usual to keep Bloodfin Tetras in groups of five or more. Swimming mainly in the upper and middle water layers, they are highly social creatures. Due to this, they tend to be more introverted when not grouped together.
Bloodfin Tetras have become quite popular because of their beautiful, yet discreet, colouration. They have silvery-blue bodies with a greenish tone, depending on the aquarium lighting, and they have blood-red colouration of the tail, dorsal, anal and adipose fin, which is where these fish get their name.
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| Quick Facts | |
|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Aphyocharax anisitsi |
| Year Described | 1903 |
| Other Names | True Bloodfin, Redfin Tetra |
| Classification | Actinopterygii |
| Order | Characiformes |
| Family | Characidae |
| Genus | Aphyocharax |
| Origins | Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay, Uruguay |
| Temperament | Peaceful |
| Aquarium Level | Middle - Top |
| Difficulty | Beginner |
| Shoaling | Yes |
| Best kept as | Groups 6+ |
| Diet | Omnivore |
| Reproduction | Egg-Scatterer |
| Lifespan | 5-7 years |
| Water Parameters | |
|---|---|
| Water Type | Freshwater |
| PH | 6.0 - 8.0 |
| GH | 5 - 10 |
| Temperature | |
|---|---|
| 64 - 82℉ 17.8 - 27.8℃ | |
Feeding
In the home aquarium, the Bloodfin Tetra will readily accept most good quality dried foods such as granules, flakes and sinking pellets. These modern food products have been developed to provide all adequate nutrition to maintain your fish's health and dietary requirements.
Providing additional foodstuffs such as live, frozen, and freeze-dried meals such as bloodworm, daphnia, and tubifex once or twice a week will provide additional benefits to your fish's health and well-being but is not a must for this fish.
It should be noted that bloodworms should only be given as an occasional treat and should not be used as the staple diet as they are difficult for fish to digest and can potentially cause blockages.
This fish is an omnivore in the wild, meaning it will consume some vegetable matter. Although most modern fish foods take this into account and include them in their products, you can still supplement your fish's diet with blanched vegetables such as spinach, broccoli, and zucchini. Ensure you do not overfeed your fish and remove any leftovers the following day.
Sexual Dimorphism
It is relatively easy to determine a male Bloodfin Tetra from a female.
The males have a brighter and more dramatic colour as well as displaying a white edge on their pelvic and anal fins; also the males have a hook shape anal fin, whereas the females are more rounded and duller than the males.