All fish / Characidae

Blue Neon Tetra

Knodus borki

Also known as bork's tetra, neon blue tetra, knodus tetra, blue tetra

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A small, slender tetra from Peru with a bright metallic blue stripe along its body that shines strongly under good lighting. It is kept for its active shoaling behaviour and its colour, which looks best in a planted tank with a large group.

Care at a glance

Care level

Easy

Temperament

Peaceful

Adult size

3 cm

Temperature

22 to 27 °C

pH

5.5 to 7.5

Smallest tank

60 litres

Keep as

Shoal of 10 or more

Diet

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

Swims

Middle of the tank

Lifespan

3 to 5 years

Water

Freshwater

Wild range

Upper Amazon basin, Peru

Breeding

It scatters eggs among fine plants and gives no parental care. Spawning is possible in soft, slightly acidic water, and the adults should be removed afterwards because they eat the eggs; the fry need infusoria at first.

Good to know

Quick and active, so it can unsettle very slow or long-finned tankmates. It is sometimes sold under the wrong name, so check that the fish you buy match the description.