Our Guide To Keeping Red Blue Peru Tetra

1. About Fish Species:

   • Scientific name: Hyphessobrycon sp. Red Blue Peru / Hyphessobrycon margitae
   • Common name: Red Blue Peru Tetra, Imperial Blue Rainbow Tetra, Bleeding Blue Tetra
   • Family: Characidae
   • Origin: Peru, South America
   • Adult length: 4 to 5 cm
   • Lifespan: 3 to 5 years
   • Diet: Omnivore
   • Care Level: Easy to Moderate
   • Temperament: Peaceful

2. Tank Setup:

   • Red Blue Peru Tetras prefer a mature, well-planted aquarium with open swimming space and areas of cover. A minimum tank size of around 70L is recommended for a small group, although a larger aquarium is better for a proper shoal.
   • Use plants, driftwood, leaf litter, and shaded areas to help them feel secure and show their best colour. Floating plants can also help diffuse bright lighting.
   • They should be kept in groups of at least six individuals, but a group of ten or more is much better for natural shoaling behaviour and confidence.

3. Water Parameters:

   • Red Blue Peru Tetras do best in soft to moderately soft water with a slightly acidic to neutral pH range of 6.0 to 7.5.
   • Keep the water temperature between 24 to 26°C.
   • Stable, clean water is important, so add them only to a fully cycled aquarium and carry out regular partial water changes.

4. Filtration and Water Flow:

   • A gentle to moderate flow is suitable for Red Blue Peru Tetras, as they appreciate clean, well-oxygenated water without being pushed around the aquarium.
   • Choose a filter that provides reliable biological filtration while still leaving calmer planted areas where the fish can rest and shoal comfortably.

5. Diet:

   • Red Blue Peru Tetras are omnivores and will usually accept quality flake, micro pellets, and small granules as a staple diet.
   • Supplement their diet with frozen or live foods such as daphnia, brine shrimp, cyclops, mosquito larvae, and small bloodworms to encourage strong colour and good condition.
   • Feed small portions once or twice daily, making sure all food is small enough for them to eat easily.

6. Tank mates:

   • Red Blue Peru Tetras are peaceful community fish and are best kept with other calm species of a similar size.
   • Suitable tank mates include other peaceful tetras, rasboras, pencilfish, small Corydoras, dwarf cichlids, Otocinclus, and small peaceful catfish.
   • Avoid aggressive, predatory, or fin-nipping fish, as well as very boisterous species that may stress them or outcompete them for food.

7. Behavior and Compatibility:

   • Red Blue Peru Tetras are active shoaling fish that look best when kept in a good-sized group, where males can display their red, blue, and iridescent colours.
   • They may be shy when first introduced, especially in bright or sparsely decorated tanks, but usually become more confident in a planted aquarium with peaceful tank mates.
   • They are generally well suited to planted community aquariums and are not aggressive when kept in suitable numbers.