No photo yet
Sign in to submit the first photo
Cochu's Blue Tetra
Boehlkea fredcochui
Animalia›Chordata›Actinopterygii›Characiformes›Characidae
📍 Upper Amazon, Peru
Vivid metallic blue tetra with an active, slightly nippy temperament. Best kept in larger groups to spread aggression. A showstopper in planted tanks.
Care Guide
Diet
Cochu's Blue Tetras are omnivores that thrive on a varied diet of high-quality flake foods, micro pellets, and small frozen foods like brine shrimp and daphnia. Feed small portions once daily, offering only what they can consume in 2-3 minutes. Occasional vegetable matter such as blanched spinach or algae-based supplements supports digestive health.
Behavior
These active, schooling fish are best observed in groups of 8 or more, where their striking metallic blue coloration is most vibrant. They exhibit semi-aggressive behavior, particularly during feeding and when kept in undersized groups, displaying fin-nipping tendencies toward slower or long-finned tank mates. They prefer the mid-water column and are most active during dawn and dusk hours.
Breeding
Breeding Cochu's Blue Tetras in captivity is difficult and rarely achieved in home aquariums. They require soft, acidic water (pH 5.5-6.0), dense vegetation or spawning mops, and careful conditioning with live foods before spawning occurs. Fry are extremely small and require infusoria or liquid fry food for the first week before accepting micro foods.
Tank Mates
Similar size and water requirements; peaceful temperament helps balance the tetras' semi-aggressive nature
Algae-eating bottom dweller that occupies different water column; no competition or aggression
Peaceful bottom feeder from similar South American habitat; compatible water parameters
Similar size and schooling behavior; both prefer soft, acidic water conditions
Can work if tank is large enough (20+ gallons); monitor for fin-nipping, especially toward gourami's flowing fins
Small shrimp may be nipped or eaten; only suitable in heavily planted tanks with plenty of hiding spots
Common Diseases
Ich (Ichthyophthirius multifiliis)
White spots on body and fins, rapid breathing, lethargy, rubbing against objects
Raise temperature gradually to 28-29°C, perform daily 25% water changes, use aquarium salt (1 teaspoon per 5 gallons) or commercial ich treatment for 7-10 days
Fin Rot
Frayed or deteriorating fins, discoloration at fin edges, lethargy
Improve water quality with frequent partial water changes, maintain stable parameters, use antibacterial medication if severe; remove any sharp tank decorations
Neon Tetra Disease
Loss of coloration along lateral line, curved spine, erratic swimming, lethargy
No cure exists; isolate affected fish to prevent spread, maintain pristine water conditions, euthanize severely affected individuals to prevent transmission
Bacterial Infection
Cloudy eyes, open sores, torn fins, loss of appetite, color fading
Perform 50% water change immediately, use broad-spectrum antibiotic medication, maintain temperature at 25-26°C, improve filtration and water quality
Community Photos
0 photosPhotos are added when members log a tank with this species and upload a photo in their tank journal. Add your own tank to contribute.
No photos yet — add a tank with Cochu's Blue Tetra to be the first!
Sign in to vote.
Tips from the community 💡
0 tipsReal experiences, care advice, and keeper notes. Finn learns from these too.
Sign in to share your experience.
No community tips yet — be the first to share your knowledge!
Quick Facts
- pH
- 6.0–7.0
- diet
- omnivore
- maxSize
- 2 inches
- minTankSize
- 20 gallons
- temperature
- 73–81°F (23–27°C)
Temperature
73–81°F
23–27°C