Cochu's blue tetra

For other species also called blue tetra, see here.

Cochu's blue tetra
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Chordata
Class:	Actinopterygii
Order:	Characiformes
Family:	Characidae
Genus:	Boehlkea Géry, 1966
Species:	B. fredcochui
Binomial name
Boehlkea fredcochui Géry, 1966

The Cochu's blue tetra or blue tetra, Boehlkea fredcochui, is a species of characin. Its natural range is in the Amazon Basin. It is commonly kept as an aquarium fish.

Aquarium Care

Blue tetra, Male and Female

• Maximum length: 5.5 cm
• Colors: Blue, pink
• Temperature preference: 22-27 celsius
• pH preference: 6 to 7.5
• Hardness preference: Soft to medium (less than 15ºd)
• Salinity preference: No salt
• Compatibility: Generally peaceful, may nip fins during feeding or when stressed
• Life span: Typically 2 to 3 years
• Ease of keeping: Easy
• Ease of breeding: Moderate to hard

As for other schooling characins, the blue tetra should always be kept in groups of at least 6. A very active fish, it requires open areas in which to swim and is best kept in aquariums 90 cm or larger. Aggression is generally limited to conspecifics in appropriate setups, but they may harass other fish in too small a tank, or without enough other tetras.

Spawning may occur in home setups, with the eggs being scattered over fine leafed plants. Soft, acidic water is required for hatching to occur. Males may be differentiated from females by their slimmer, more streamlined form and more intense colouration.

References

• "Boehlkea". Integrated Taxonomic Information System. http://www.itis.gov/servlet/SingleRpt/SingleRpt?search_topic=TSN&search_value=163031. Retrieved 1 August 2009. 
• "Boehlkea fredcochui". Integrated Taxonomic Information System. http://www.itis.gov/servlet/SingleRpt/SingleRpt?search_topic=TSN&search_value=163032. Retrieved 1 August 2009. 
• Froese, Rainer, and Daniel Pauly, eds. (2011). "Boehlkea fredcochui" in FishBase. October 2011 version.