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Ruby Tetra
Axelrodia riesei
Animalia›Chordata›Actinopterygii›Characiformes›Characidae
📍 Rio Meta, Colombia
Tiny jewel-toned tetra with a deep ruby-red body. Perfect for nano tanks and heavily planted aquariums. Shy but stunning in groups.
Care Guide
Diet
Ruby Tetras are omnivores that thrive on a varied diet of high-quality micro pellets, crushed flakes, and small frozen foods like brine shrimp and daphnia. Feed small portions once daily, offering only what they can consume in 2-3 minutes. Supplement occasionally with live foods to enhance coloration and maintain optimal health.
Behavior
Ruby Tetras are naturally shy and timid fish that display their best coloration and behavior when kept in schools of at least 8 individuals. They are peaceful mid-water swimmers that prefer heavily planted tanks where they can dart between vegetation. In proper groups, they exhibit fascinating schooling behavior and become more confident, though they remain relatively inactive compared to larger tetras.
Breeding
Breeding Ruby Tetras in captivity is difficult and rarely achieved by hobbyists. They require soft, acidic water (pH 5.0-6.0), dense vegetation or spawning mops, and careful conditioning with live foods. Fry are extremely small and require infusoria or liquid fry food, making successful breeding a significant challenge even for experienced breeders.
Tank Mates
Peaceful bottom-dweller with identical water requirements; won't compete for space or food
Shares preference for planted tanks and soft acidic water; no predation risk at adult size
Similar size and peaceful temperament; compatible water parameters and schooling behavior
Foreground plant that provides shelter and creates the heavily planted environment they prefer
Low-light plant ideal for nano tanks; provides hiding spots without requiring high maintenance
Peaceful dwarf cichlid but larger; ensure adequate space and monitor for any territorial behavior
Common Diseases
Ich (Ichthyophthirius multifiliis)
White spots on body and fins, rapid breathing, flashing against objects, lethargy
Raise temperature gradually to 28-30°C, increase aeration, use ich medication (malachite green or formalin) following label directions; perform daily water changes
Fin Rot
Frayed or deteriorating fins, discoloration at fin edges, fin loss progressing toward body
Improve water quality with frequent water changes, reduce stocking density, use antibacterial medication if severe; ensure good filtration and avoid sharp decorations
Neon Tetra Disease
Loss of coloration, curved spine, erratic swimming, white stripe along lateral line fading
No cure exists; isolate affected fish to prevent spread, maintain pristine water conditions, euthanize severely affected individuals; focus on prevention through quarantine
Bacterial Infection
Cloudy eyes, open sores, torn fins, lethargy, loss of appetite
Perform large water changes, use broad-spectrum antibiotic medication, improve water quality and tank conditions; isolate severely affected fish
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Quick Facts
- pH
- 5.0–7.0
- diet
- omnivore
- maxSize
- 0.8 inches
- minTankSize
- 5 gallons
- temperature
- 72–82°F (22–28°C)
Temperature
72–82°F
22–28°C