The Emperor Blue Tetra (Inpaichthys kerri) is a vibrant and peaceful freshwater fish admired for its iridescent blue hues and graceful schooling behavior. Native to the Rio Aripuanã region of Brazil, this species brings a lively shimmer and elegant movement to any community aquarium.

Perfect for beginner aquarists, the Emperor Blue Tetra is hardy, adaptable, and thrives in well-maintained freshwater tanks with moderate filtration and stable conditions. Males exhibit striking metallic blue and violet tones, while females show more subtle coloration, making mixed groups visually captivating.

🧭 Habitat & Tank Setup

• Maintain a minimum 20-gallon aquarium with gentle filtration and soft, slightly acidic water.

• Add live plants, driftwood, and dim lighting to replicate their natural Amazonian environment.

• Keep them in schools of 6 or more to encourage natural shoaling behavior and reduce stress.

🍽️ Diet & Feeding

Emperor Blue Tetras are omnivorous and accept a variety of foods:

• High-quality flake food or micro pellets as a staple

• Supplement with frozen or live foods (e.g., daphnia, brine shrimp, bloodworms) for color enhancement and vitality

🌱 Behavior & Compatibility

Known for their peaceful temperament, these tetras coexist well with other small, non-aggressive species such as:

• Neon Tetras

• Harlequin Rasboras

• Corydoras Catfish

• Small Gouramis or peaceful Dwarf Cichlids

🐣 Breeding

Breeding Emperor Blue Tetras is relatively easy in soft, acidic water with a spawning mop or fine-leaved plants. The female scatters eggs, and fry hatch within 24–36 hours. Remove adults after spawning to prevent egg predation.

🧩 Key Features

• 🌊 Striking metallic blue coloration adds brilliance to aquariums

• 🤝 Peaceful nature – ideal for community tanks

• 🪴 Beginner friendly and adaptable to varied conditions

• 🌿 Pairs beautifully with planted aquascapes