Blue Tetra

About

Found in the river systems of the Amazon basin, Boehlkea fredcochui is a small, peaceful characin that spends most of its time moving through the water column in the company of its own kind. Like many South American tetras, it is a shoaling species at heart, and keeping a group of at least six or eight individuals will bring out much more natural behavior than a lone pair ever could. A well-grouped school also tends to be noticeably less skittish, which makes the fish easier to observe day to day. In a community setup, its peaceful disposition makes it a compatible neighbor for other small, gentle species that share similar water preferences. The Amazon basin is a broad and varied system, and this species is adapted to soft, slightly acidic conditions in the wild, though it shows a reasonable tolerance for a wider pH range in captivity. Care is rated at an intermediate level, which mostly comes down to maintaining consistent water quality rather than any particularly demanding husbandry requirements. It is not a fish that forgives neglect, but a keeper who already has experience with tetras or small South American characins should find it manageable and rewarding to keep in a planted tank.