Bloodfin Tetra

Aphyocharax anisitsi

Also known as: Bloodfin, True bloodfin tetra

Water Parameters

• Temperature: 18–26°C
• pH: 6–8
• Hardness (GH): 71–268 ppm (4–15 dGH)

Values above are general hardness (GH). For carbonate hardness (KH), the buffer that keeps pH stable, see the water parameters guide.

Care Summary

A slender, silvery, energetic tetra with fins washed in translucent red, and one of the hardiest schooling fish in the hobby, notable for genuinely tolerating cool water. From the subtropical Parana basin, it thrives in unheated or lightly-heated tanks across a wide range of conditions, which makes it an excellent temperate community fish alongside white clouds, danios, and cool-water barbs. It is fast, active, and long-lived, sometimes passing ten years, and schools tightly in the upper water. Keep a group of at least six, both to bring out the schooling and to blunt a mild fin-nipping streak, and avoid slow, long-finned tankmates. An accomplished jumper, so a covered tank is essential. Undemanding, robust, and a fine choice for a cooler aquarium.

Tankmates

One of the best schooling fish for cooler, unheated tanks, and a natural match for white cloud mountain minnows, danios, and cool-water barbs in a temperate community. Active and fast, with a mild fin-nipping tendency in small groups, so keep six or more and avoid slow, long-finned tankmates such as bettas and fancy guppies. A strong jumper; keep the tank covered.

Compatible with

• White Cloud Mountain Minnow
• Zebra Danio
• Gold Barb
• Rosy Barb
• Bronze Corydoras
• Bristlenose Pleco
• Harlequin Rasbora
• Peppered Corydoras

Avoid keeping with

• Betta
• Guppy
• Angelfish
• Long Finned Species

Common Problems

• jumping from open or poorly-covered tanks
• mild fin nipping in groups smaller than six
• faded red fins in poor conditions
• ich

Sources: seriouslyfish.com, fishbase.org · Last updated: 2026-06-20