红鳍细脂鲤 · Bloodfin Tetra

Overview

The bloodfin tetra, Aphyocharax anisitsi, combines a silver body with red fins and an active group lifestyle. It is adaptable, though its occasional fin nipping matters when choosing companions. A planted aquarium with room for the group to move suits it well.

Distribution & habitat

Its native range follows the Paraná drainage through Brazil, Paraguay, and Argentina. Rivers, tributaries, and smaller streams provide habitat, often shaded by floating vegetation or plants extending over the banks.

Aquarium setup

Balance dense planting with an unobstructed swimming area. Branches, wood, and surface plants create shelter and patches of shade. Much of its activity occurs toward the top, so a securely fitted cover is important. It tolerates a broad range of conditions. An aquarium in a sufficiently insulated home may not need heating, provided the actual temperature remains suitable; cooler conditions can reduce color intensity.

Diet & feeding

Dry, frozen, and live foods are all readily taken. Offer a varied rotation of appropriate foods to maintain condition rather than relying on a single item.

Behaviour & compatibility

Keep a group of at least six. It can live with suitable small community fishes, but slow companions or those with trailing fins may be nipped. Observe these combinations carefully and maintain enough bloodfins for their social interactions.

Sexual dimorphism

Males have a slimmer outline. Small hooks on the pelvic and anal fin rays also distinguish them, while mature females are fuller-bodied.

Breeding

Prepare a separate aquarium with fine plants and a sponge filter, avoiding strongly alkaline conditions. Condition the adults, then introduce a well-rounded female and a strongly colored male. Spawning often follows the next morning.

The eggs fall among the plants but do not stick to them; some settle on the bottom and others can float. Remove the parents after spawning because they consume eggs. Hatching takes roughly a day. Once the yolk is used, begin with infusoria-sized food and progress to microworms and newly hatched brine shrimp. A spawning can produce hundreds of young, so rearing capacity should be planned beforehand.

Notes

This is a long-established aquarium fish. Individuals have reportedly survived beyond ten years under favorable care, although that is not a guaranteed lifespan.