Bloodfin tetras, also known as Redfin Tetras, are small freshwater fish that are easily recognized by their appearance. Bloodfin Tetra have vibrant red fins that stand out against their metallic silver bodies. They are relatively easy to care for thanks to their hardiness and adaptability, making them ideal for novice fish keepers.
If you are interested in adding Bloodfin Tetras to your aquarium, this article will walk you through their care and important characteristics.
Breed overview
Similar Breeds:
Red Phantom Tetra, Columbian Tetra, Serpei Tetra
suitable for:
All fish breeders
print:
Social, peaceful, strong and adaptable
Bloodfin tetra is scientifically known as Anicetsi Aphyocharax And belongs to Charasin family. It is a well-known tetra species in the aquarium trade. Bloodfin Tetras are ideal additions to community aquariums, primarily due to their calm temperament and small size. They get along well with many aquatic tank mates and are relatively healthy fish when properly cared for. Most fish breeders can successfully raise Bloodfin Tetras in an aquarium without much experience.
Characteristics of Bloodfin Tetra
Bloodfin Tetra Cost?
The origins of Bloodfin Tetras go back to 1903 when they were discovered by CH Eigenmann and CH Kennedy. The blood-finned tetra is native to South America, and its wild habitat consists of tropical waterways throughout Paraguay and northern Argentina. However, Bloodfin Tetras can also be found in Florida where they likely escaped from ornamental fish farms.
Bloodfin Tetras are found in the aquarium trade industry where they are often sold and kept as pets. They are not considered rare due to their widespread availability and ease of breeding in captivity. This means that Bloodfin Tetras can be purchased from many pet stores or online retailers. Most Bloodfin Tetras cost between $2 to $5This makes it a cheap fish. You may come across sets of Bloodfin Tetras for sale at discounted prices when purchased together.
Sociability of Bloodfin Tetra
Do these fish make good pets?
The Bloodfin Tetra’s calm, sociable and adaptable temperament make them ideal pets for novice fish keepers. They are easy to keep in aquariums and are not very fussy about tank setup and diet. However, this does not mean that Bloodfin Tetras do not need specific conditions to thrive. Bloodfin Tetras are naturally social schooling fish and should be kept in groups of six or more. You can’t keep Bloodfin Tetras alone, so you must be able to commit to caring for a group of them.
Furthermore, Bloodfin Tetras should be kept in spacious aquariums that support their active schooling behavior. Their aquarium should be longer than 20 gallons, not a small vase or fish bowl. They should only be kept in mature aquariums that have been fully cycled and cannot be added to an aquarium on the day it is set up. Bloodfin Tetras do not tolerate poor water quality well and may die in aquariums that are not well maintained.
Is this fish a good tank mate?
Like most tetras, bloodfin tetras make excellent tank mates for compatible fish or invertebrates. Bloodfin Tetras are known to get along with most small, placid fish, but can also be kept with snails or shrimp. The high sociability of the Bloodfin Tetra in aquariums is one of the main reasons why they are good for community aquariums.
You generally want to avoid keeping Bloodfin Tetras with large, aggressive tank mates that require different water parameters. Bloodfinned tetras may nip the fins of some fish such as bettas or longfinned tetras, so they should be avoided as tank mates.
Some of the best tankmates to pair with a school of Bloodfin Tetras are other peaceful Tetras, Ghost Shrimp, Live Fish, and Snails.
Compatible Tank Mates:
Incompatible tank mates:
Tank Care and Setup Guide
Water quality, pH, and temperature
The most important aspect of Bloodfin Tetra care is water quality. Bloodfin Tetras need good water quality to survive, and it is up to you to make sure their water conditions are right for them. Bloodfin tetras are tropical freshwater fish That need a heater in their aquarium.
The ideal temperature range is 70° to 82° F (21° to 28° C). The temperature must remain stable with some fluctuations which can be stressful for Bloodfin Tetras. Furthermore, blood-finned tetras may become ill if exposed to cold temperatures for too long. The pH of the water should remain between 6.0 to 8.0, and the hardness of the water from 54 to 447 ppm.
Bloodfin Tetras should only be kept in aquariums that have been fully cycled with no traces of ammonia or nitrite. Nitrate levels are safe up to 20 ppm before a water change.
The reactant
Bloodfin Tetras appreciate the substrate in their aquarium, although this is not necessary. Soft sand or gravel substrates are preferred because they mimic the Bloodfin Tetra’s natural environment. Although you can use standard-sized gravel or pebbles as a substrate, it must be free of harmful toxins or dyes. Naturally colored substrates are easy on the eyes for Bloodfin Tetras and are usually not coated with dyes.
the plants
We guarantee to house your Bloodfin Tetras in a planted aquarium to keep them active and happy. They enjoy exploring and swimming among live plants such as Hornwort, Vallisneria, Ludwigia, and Water Sprite. Grow many live plants They are recommended for use in their own aquarium because they create a natural environment in which Bloodfin Tetras feel safe. In addition, live plants provide other benefits such as water purification and increased oxygenation which should not be overlooked.
light
Bloodfin tetras are diurnal fish that are active during the day and rest at night. It requires about 6 to 10 hours of light during the day, and complete darkness at night. Low to moderate aquarium lighting is good for Bloodfin Tetras, but you want to avoid bright aquarium lighting. Bright lighting is hard on the Bloodfin Tetra’s eyes, which can make them feel stressed or insecure in their environment.
Purification
Running a filter in your Bloodfin Tetras aquarium is essential and plays a major role in the quality of your aquarium water. The filter will keep the water moving and clean and help aerate the water for better oxygenation. Bloodfin Tetras do best with a slow to medium speed water stream, so avoid filters with a strong output. Filters such as sponge, internal filters, over-hang (HOB) filters and under gravel filters are suitable for Bloodfin Tetras.
Make sure the filter can handle the population and size of the aquarium it will be filtering. If the filter is too weak, the water may become stagnant and dirty.
Things to know when owning a Bloodfin Tetra:
Food and diet requirements
Making sure your Bloodfin Tetras are fed a healthy, balanced diet is important for their health. Blood-finned tetras are naturally omnivores but lean more toward a carnivorous diet in the wild. They readily accept most live or frozen foods such as daphnia, bloodworms, small brine shrimp, and insect larvae. However, high-quality commercial food pellets or flakes should be offered daily. This is where your Bloodfin Tetras will get most of the essential vitamins and minerals they need to be healthy.
No matter how varied their diet is, Bloodfin Tetras are not interested in food. They are happy to eat most of the fish food in the tank, even if the food is intended for one of their tank mates.
Size and growth rate
Bloodfin Tetras are small fish that measure only 2 inches in length as adults. Some bloodfin tetras may grow to only 1.5 inches in length, especially females, which are slightly longer than males. Their growth rate is very fast, and they are fully grown before they are one year old. However, they mature between 4 to 6 months of age and are ready to breed during that period.
The growth rate of Bloodfin Tetras is affected by their care, diet, and genetics. Some well-bred Bloodfin tetras will likely be larger than poorly bred Bloodfin tetras. Furthermore, Bloodfin tetras’ growth may be delayed if they are fed an inappropriate diet or kept in aquariums with poor water quality. The size of the aquarium may also play a role in the size of your Bloodfin Tetras. If bloodfin tetras are kept in a small aquarium with poor water quality, they are unlikely to grow very large or live long enough to reach adult size.
Varieties
Blood-finned tetras are characterized by their short, blood-red fins, hence their name. Their bodies are elongated with a defined stomach that is more prominent in mature females. The rest of the body is metallic silver with hints of teal in bright lighting. Bloodfin tetras have a single caudal, anal and dorsal fin, which is a distinctive red colour. However, their fins may appear slightly orange at times. The rest of its fins are a semi-transparent silver color, except for its paired ventral fins, which are red.
Age and health conditions
The average lifespan of healthy Bloodfin Tetras is between 5 to 8 years. This is longer than some other tetras of similar size. Several factors can affect the longevity of the Bloodfin Tetra, including care, health, and water quality. Certain health conditions can significantly shorten the life of your Bloodfin Tetra, no matter how well you take care of it. It is important to monitor your Bloodfin Tetras for signs of disease and treat them promptly.
Health conditions that may affect Bloodfin Tetras include:
Simple terms
Serious conditions
Male versus female
Male and female blood-finned tetras have a similar appearance making it difficult to distinguish between them. One of the main differences is their size and stomach. Female blood-finned tetras are slightly larger than males and have a rounder stomach, while males have a slender body structure and more pronounced fins.
3 Little-Known Facts About the Bloodfin Tetra
1. The female blood-finned tetra jumps out of the water while laying eggs. This jumping behavior is an indicator that your Bloodfin tetra is ready to breed.
2. Mature male blood-finned tetras have bony hooks on the pelvic and anal fin rays.
3. A female blood-finned tetra can lay up to 800 eggs at a time, and they usually hatch within 25 hours.
Final thoughts
Bloodfin Tetras are peaceful, social schooling fish that make good additions to community aquariums. they It gets along well with other small and peaceful fishAlthough they tend to nibble fins. Bloodfin Tetras are relatively easy to care for, making them suitable for beginner fish keepers.
Caring for Bloodfin Tetras is very simple, and they are They mainly require a spacious tankGood water quality and a healthy diet are needed to thrive. If you choose to get Bloodfin Tetras, keep in mind that they should be kept in groups of six or more.
Featured image credit: Karel Zahradka, Shutterstock