All fish / Characidae

Royal Tetra

Inpaichthys kerri

Also known as blue emperor tetra, purple emperor tetra, royal blue tetra, kerri tetra, blue king tetra, kerri, ブルーエンペラー, 蓝帝灯, 紫帝灯

A small, slim tetra in which males show a dark lateral band edged with metallic blue and purple, while females are more yellowish brown. It is kept for its colour, hardiness and calm nature in planted community tanks.

Care at a glance

Care level

Easy

Temperament

Peaceful

Adult size

4 cm

Temperature

24 to 27 °C

pH

5.5 to 7.5

Smallest tank

60 litres

Keep as

Shoal of 8 or more

Diet

Omnivore: small flakes, micro pellets, frozen and live bloodworm, daphnia and brine shrimp

Swims

Middle of the tank

Lifespan

3 to 5 years

Water

Freshwater

Wild range

Brazil: upper Aripuanã and Madeira river basins

Breeding

An egg scatterer that spawns among fine-leaved plants or mops, with no parental care. Breeding is fairly easy in soft, slightly acidic water if the adults are removed afterwards and the fry are fed infusoria.

Good to know

Males can spar with each other but rarely cause harm. Often confused with the emperor tetra (Nematobrycon palmeri), which has a trident-shaped tail.