Blueberry Tetra Care Guide - Tank Setup, Diet & Breeding

The Blueberry Tetra is a small, refined characin with a silvery body and an attractive blue to violet sheen. Mature fish can develop rich berry-like colouration, especially across the flanks, while the fins remain delicate and translucent with subtle darker markings.

This species has a lively but peaceful nature and spends much of its time moving through the middle levels of the aquarium. In a group, Blueberry Tetras display more confidently, with males often showing off their colour and fin posture to one another without causing serious harm.

In the wild, these tetras inhabit warm Amazonian waterways surrounded by dense vegetation and overhanging forest. Their natural environment is typically shaded, structurally complex and relatively quiet compared with the main channels of large rivers.

The Blueberry Tetra is a comparatively recent and less commonly encountered member of the Hyphessobrycon genus. Its small size, attractive colour and active shoaling behaviour have made it increasingly appealing to aquarists looking for an unusual South American community fish.

The Blueberry Tetra is native to the Rio Jari basin in the Brazilian Amazon, in northern South America. It comes from clear to lightly tea-stained forest waters associated with small tributaries and streams.

A group of Blueberry Tetras should have at least a 60-litre aquarium, ideally measuring around 60 cm long by 30 cm wide or larger so they have room to shoal. Use a dark or natural fine substrate, gentle filtration and plenty of plants, including dense areas around the edges and open swimming space in the centre. Branches, leaf litter and subdued lighting can recreate the shaded character of their Amazonian habitat, while a secure cover helps prevent escapes.

Blueberry Tetras reach a maximum adult length of about 3.5 cm (1.4 inches). Females are usually slightly deeper-bodied and may grow marginally larger than males.

Blueberry Tetras are omnivores that benefit from a varied diet of quality small flake, micro-pellets and suitably sized frozen or live foods. Baby brine shrimp, daphnia, cyclops and grindal worms help support colour and condition, while occasional plant-based ingredients can complement their diet. Offer small portions that they can consume quickly.

Blueberry Tetras are peaceful community fish and can be housed with similarly gentle species such as small rasboras, other calm tetras, pencilfish, small Corydoras and peaceful dwarf cichlids. They are best kept away from large, boisterous or predatory fish, fin-nippers and significantly larger cichlids, which may intimidate or eat them.

Blueberry Tetras are egg-scattering characins that may spawn among fine-leaved plants or spawning mops. For the best results, place a conditioned group in a separate, dimly lit breeding aquarium with soft, clean water. Remove the adults after spawning, as they may eat the eggs. The eggs usually hatch within a day or two, and the tiny fry can initially be fed infusoria or another suitably small first food before moving on to larger foods.

Males are generally slimmer and often show stronger colour and more pronounced fin development. Females tend to have a fuller abdomen, particularly when carrying eggs, and may appear slightly larger overall.