The bloodfin tetra (''Aphyocharax anisitsi'') is a species of

characin Characiformes is an order of ray-finned fish, comprising the characins and their allies. Grouped in 18 recognized families, more than 2000 different species are described, including the well-known piranha and tetras.; Buckup P.A.: "Relationsh ...

from the

Paraná River The Paraná River ( ; ; ) is a river in south-central South America, running through Brazil, Paraguay, and Argentina for some ."Parana River". Encyclopædia Britannica. Encyclopædia Britannica Online. Encyclopædia Britannica Inc., 2012. Web. ...

basin in South America. The bloodfin is a relatively large tetra, growing to 5.5 cm.Nico, L., 2022,
Aphyocharax anisitsi
' Eigenmann and Kennedy, 1903: U.S. Geological Survey, Nonindigenous Aquatic Species Database, Gainesville, FL, Revision Date: 6/22/2012, Peer Review Date: 6/22/2012, Access Date: 9/4/2022 Its notable feature (as the name suggests) is the blood-red colouration of the tail, dorsal, anal and

adipose fin Fins are moving appendages protruding from the body of fish that interact with water to generate thrust and help the fish swim. Apart from the tail or caudal fin, fish fins have no direct connection with the back bone and are supported only b ...

, while the body is silver in color. Bloodfin tetras are extremely hardy, making them popular with novice fish keepers.

Aquarium care

Bloodfin tetras are typically kept in schools of five or more. They swim mainly in the upper and middle water layers and are highly sociable fishes, mixing well with other types of

tetra Tetra is the common name of many small freshwater characiform fishes. Tetras come from Africa, Central America, and South America, belonging to the biological families Characidae, Alestidae (the "African tetras"), Lepidarchidae, Lebiasi ...

s and tropical fish in general, so are often kept (like many other tetras) in a community tank. However, they will tend to nip at the fins of fish with long, wavy fins, such as angelfish or guppies. Bloodfin tetras have also been kept in cold-water tanks, provided the temperature does not drop below

room temperature Room temperature, colloquially, denotes the range of air temperatures most people find comfortable indoors while dressed in typical clothing. Comfortable temperatures can be extended beyond this range depending on humidity, air circulation, and ...

. They have been kept in temperatures ranging from . Tetras are adapted to soft, slightly acidic water, and

soft water Hard water is water that has a high mineral content (in contrast with "soft water"). Hard water is formed when water percolates through deposits of limestone, chalk or gypsum, which are largely made up of calcium and magnesium carbonates, ...

is essential for breeding. Bloodfin tetras can adapt to many water conditions in captivity, if the

tap water Tap water (also known as running water, piped water or municipal water) is water supplied through a Tap (valve), tap, a water dispenser valve. In many countries, tap water usually has the quality of drinking water. Tap water is commonly used f ...

is dechlorinated.

Breeding

At the time of spawning the fish leaps above the water surface and leaves its

egg An egg is an organic vessel grown by an animal to carry a possibly fertilized egg cell (a zygote) and to incubate from it an embryo within the egg until the embryo has become an animal fetus that can survive on its own, at which point the ...

s in the water. The eggs, being heavy, fall to the floor of the tank or water body. The female deposits 300–500 eggs.

External links

References

{{Taxonbar, from=Q1505634 Aphyocharacini Freshwater fish of Argentina Tetras of Brazil Fish of Paraguay Fish of Uruguay Fish described in 1903

Aquarium care

Breeding

See also

External links

References