Bloodfin Tetra

About

The bloodfin tetra (Aphyocharax anisitsi) is a slender, silver-bodied characid whose fins are washed in deep crimson red, making it easy to identify at a glance. It comes from the Paraná River basin in South America, where it occupies upper and middle water layers, feeding on small invertebrates, insects, and crustaceans. In the aquarium it brings the same active energy, spending most of its time in the top half of the tank and looking best when kept in a group of at least six. One thing that genuinely sets this fish apart is its tolerance for cooler temperatures. In a well-insulated home it can often get by without a heater, though it tends to show richer color in warmer water. It is also notably long-lived for a small tetra, with well-cared-for fish regularly reaching a decade or more. Temperament is generally peaceful, though it can nip at slow-moving or long-finned tankmates, so pairing it with other active characids, Corydoras, or smaller loricariids works better than mixing it with fancy bettas or angelfish. Males develop small hooks on the anal fin rays and gill glands when mature. Breeding is achievable with some preparation and can produce several hundred fry per spawn, making it a rewarding project for anyone wanting to try their hand at breeding tetras.