
Source: Wikimedia Commons
Aphyocharax anisitsi
A small silver characin whose caudal, anal and pelvic fins are flushed blood red. Hardy and tolerant of a wide range of water, it swims in the upper and middle layers, and captive fish are known to pass ten years of age.
Aphyocharax anisitsi is a small characin of the Parana basin in South America. FishBase gives 5.5cm TL, pH 6.0-8.0, hardness to 30 dH and 18-28C, treating it as a subtropical fish, while Seriously Fish gives 5.5cm SL, 18-28C, pH 6.0-8.0, 3-25 dGH and a base of at least 60 by 30cm. The name comes from the blood-red caudal, anal and pelvic fins set against a silver body. It is hardy and takes a wide range of water; in a well-insulated house it can even be kept unheated, though it colours less well that way. It is long-lived, and captive fish over ten years old are not unusual. It swims in the upper and middle layers and settles under floating plants, but it jumps, so the cover must close tightly. It is peaceful enough, nipping only a little at long-finned or slow-moving tank mates.
Source: Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0)
The Bloodfin Tetra grows to About 5.5cm.
The ideal temperature for the Bloodfin Tetra is 18〜28℃.
Origin
South America (the Parana basin; some sources include the Paraguay and Uruguay drainages)
Lifespan
Captive fish are known to pass ten years
Size
About 5.5cm
Temperature
18〜28℃
Sources: Seriously Fish / FishBase
Edited & verified by: BreederDirect editorial team
The taxonomic, regulatory, and husbandry data on this page are compiled and verified against the authoritative primary sources below.
Sources: CITES Appendices (species not listed) / IUCN Red List
Regulations may change. Always verify the latest information with the relevant authorities.
Find listings for this species
Dried foods, frozen bloodworm, brine shrimp, Daphnia
Seriously Fish suggests a base of at least 60 by 30cm, about 54 litres at 30cm depth. Give it dense planting alongside open water to swim in. It uses the upper layer, so floating plants help it settle, and because it jumps the cover must close tightly.
Both Seriously Fish and FishBase give 18-28C and pH 6.0-8.0; hardness is 3-25 dGH in Seriously Fish and up to 30 dH in FishBase. In a well-insulated house it can be kept unheated, though the colour dulls in cooler water.
Peaceful enough, though it may nip a little at long-finned or slow-moving tank mates. It suits characins of similar size, Corydoras and small loricariids. It is a shoaling fish, so always keep six or more.
FishBase records worms, small insects and crustaceans in the wild. In the aquarium, base the diet on dried food and mix in frozen bloodworm and brine shrimp. It feeds in the upper layer, so do not rely on sinking foods.
Use a small separate tank with fine-leaved plants such as java moss as the spawning medium; the water parameters are not critical. Condition the sexes apart on frozen and live foods, then move the fullest female and best-coloured male across, and they usually spawn the following morning. The eggs are not adhesive, so many fall through the plants or float. Males are slimmer than females and develop small hooks on the pelvic and anal fin rays as they mature.
FishBase lists it as IUCN Least Concern, not on the CITES appendices and harmless to people. It is hardy and suits beginners, but its long life means a long commitment to water management. Jumping is the commonest accident, so close every gap in the cover.
Beginner. This is a beginner-friendly species. No special equipment or experience is required, and it can be kept successfully with basic care setup.
The ideal temperature for Bloodfin Tetra is 18〜28℃. Avoid sudden temperature changes and maintain a stable environment.
Bloodfin Tetra typically reaches About 5.5cm as an adult. Size may vary depending on care conditions and individual genetics.
Bloodfin Tetra feeds on: Dried foods, frozen bloodworm, brine shrimp, Daphnia. Aim for a balanced diet with appropriate feeding frequency.
The price of Bloodfin Tetra varies significantly depending on morph, size, and lineage. Check our market price page for the latest pricing information.
Last updated: September 16, 2026