Blue Tetra
Updated August 6, 2019
Author: Mike - FishLore Admin
Social Media: 
The Cochu's Blue Tetra (Boehlkea fredcochui) is also commonly called the Blue Tetra. It is one of the smaller tetras and is not as widely available in the U.S. as in some other parts of the world. They need to be kept in schools like other tetras with a 20 to 30 gallon being about the smallest fish tank size to start with.
Hint, they look great in heavily planted tanks!
The Cochu's Blue Tetra gets to be about 1.6 inches (4.1 cm) and they are generally considered easy to care for in the home aquarium. Like other tetras they can become fin nippers but keeping them in groups may help to limit the amount of fin nipping in your fish tank.
Blue Tetra Care
Scientific Name : Boehlkea fredcochui
Common Names : Cochu's Blue Tetra
Care Level : Easy
Size : 1.6 inches (4.1 cm)
Water Parameters : these are the water parameters you want: pH 6 - 8 | dH range: 5 - 12 | Temperature : 73°F - 82°F (23°C - 28°C)
Lifespan : 3 to 4 years
Origin / Habitat : South America, Amazon River basins.
Temperament / Behavior : May be fin nippers when not kept in appropriately sized aquariums and when not kept in large enough schools.
Breeding : Egg scatterers and the parents will eat the eggs. Eggs need slightly acidic conditions for better hatch rates.
Aquarium Size : 20 to 30 gallon recommended (schooling fish)
Tank Mates : Keep them in groups of 5 or more to limit the fin nipping. Should do fine with other species when kept in a small school. You obviously don't want to keep them with fish big enough to eat them.
Diet / Foods : Give them a high quality micro pellet type food (like New Life Spectrum pellets) or flakes. Supplement with live or thawed freshwater fish food preparations (cube packs).
Tank Region : all over the tank
Gender : Males will be thinner with bolder colors than females.
Photo Credit: Ille Faut (wikimedia)
Still have Blue Tetra questions?
Jump on the forum and ask your question!
Go here: Tetra Forum
More Tetra Fish Profiles
Black Neon Tetra
A nice little tetra that can be quite hardy and looks really good in a planted tank or aquariums with darker substrates.
Black Phantom Tetra
A medium sized tetra that does well with similarly sized fish species.
Black Skirt Tetra
A tetra with larger fins so use caution if you plan on stocking them with known nippers.