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Bloodfin Tetra (Aphyocharax pusillus)

Aphyocharax pusillus

Also known as red-finned tetra, bloodfin tetra, peruvian bloodfin, pusillus tetra, silver bloodfin

Bloodfin Tetra (Aphyocharax pusillus)
Photo: (Photographed by Mark Sabaj Perez) de Brito PS, Guimarães EC, Katz AM, Piorski NM, Ottoni FP (2018) Taxonomic status of Aphyocharax avary Fowler, 1913, Aphyocharax pusillus Günther, 1868 and Chirodon alburnus Günther, 1869 (Characiformes, Characidae). Zoosystematics and Evolution 94(2): 393-399. https://doi.org/10.3897/zse.94.28201, CC BY 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
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This is a slim, silvery tetra from the upper Amazon. Its fins carry red at the base, and the tail shows the strongest colour. It is an active, hardy shoaling fish that suits planted community tanks with plenty of open swimming space, and it is less often sold than the common bloodfin, Aphyocharax anisitsi.

Care at a glance

Care level
Easy
Temperament
Peaceful
Adult size
4.5 cm
Temperature
22 to 28 °C
pH
6 to 7.5
Smallest tank
80 litres
Keep as
Shoal of 8 or more
Diet
Omnivore: quality flakes and small granules, plus live or frozen bloodworm, daphnia and brine shrimp
Swims
Middle of the tank
Lifespan
5 to 8 years
Water
Freshwater
Wild range
Upper Amazon basin: Peru, Ecuador, Colombia and western Brazil

Breeding

It scatters eggs over fine-leaved plants and gives no parental care. The adults will eat the eggs, so move them out after spawning or use a mesh. Breeding is fairly easy in soft, slightly acidic water.

Good to know

It is often mixed up with Aphyocharax anisitsi and other red-finned Aphyocharax species. It is a fast swimmer and can nip slow, long-finned tankmates, so keep the lid tight because it may jump.