What tank size does a Cochu's Blue Tetra need?

A Cochu's Blue Tetra needs an aquarium of at least 60 litres (15.9 US gallons) with a footprint at least 60 cm (23.6 in) long — for this species, swimming length matters as much as raw volume.

What water parameters does a Cochu's Blue Tetra need?

Cochu's Blue Tetra does best at 21–26 °C (69.8–78.8 °F), pH 6–7.5 and a general hardness of 5–12 °dGH.

What group size does a Cochu's Blue Tetra need?

Cochu's Blue Tetra is a social species — keep a group of at least 8 so natural behaviour emerges and stress stays low.

Is the Cochu's Blue Tetra suitable for beginners?

Yes — Cochu's Blue Tetra is one of the easier species to keep and forgives typical first-tank mistakes, as long as the aquarium is cycled and maintained.

Species library

Cochu's Blue Tetra

Boehlkea fredcochui

Stevardiidae

FishDifficulty: ●●○○○Data: verified

📷 Axel Zarske & D. Bork · CC BY 4.0 · resized · Wikimedia Commons

Cochu's Blue Tetra — Boehlkea fredcochui — 📷 Axel Zarske & D. Bork · CC BY 4.0 · resized · Wikimedia Commons

About

Cochu's blue tetra comes from the upper Amazon basin in Peru, including the Marañón drainage, where it lives in tannin-stained streams. It is a slim, elongated characin of around 5 cm with a translucent silver body washed in sky- to steel-blue along the flanks. A restless, fast-swimming shoaler, it shows its best colour and manners in groups of eight or more; kept in smaller numbers it turns skittish and may nip the fins of slower tankmates.

Care

Keep a shoal of 8 or more in a planted tank of 60 cm or longer with open swimming space, subdued light, gentle flow and soft to moderately hard water at 22-26 C.

Diet

Feed small flakes, granules and micro pellets, supplemented with frozen or live foods such as brine shrimp, daphnia and mosquito larvae. It is a quick, eager eater, so check that calmer species also get food.

Tankmate compatibility

Computed by the AquaSage engine for a spacious reference tank — always check the full verdict for your exact setup in the calculator.

Telling males from females

What works for this species, most reliable first.

Belly depthA hint only · only on well-fed adults, and only as a comparison
For most tetras, barbs and rasboras this is all there is: a conditioned female is deeper through the belly than a male of the same length.

All the methods, with diagrams

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Frequently asked questions

What tank size does a Cochu's Blue Tetra need?: A Cochu's Blue Tetra needs an aquarium of at least 60 litres (15.9 US gallons) with a footprint at least 60 cm (23.6 in) long — for this species, swimming length matters as much as raw volume.
What water parameters does a Cochu's Blue Tetra need?: Cochu's Blue Tetra does best at 21–26 °C (69.8–78.8 °F), pH 6–7.5 and a general hardness of 5–12 °dGH.
What group size does a Cochu's Blue Tetra need?: Cochu's Blue Tetra is a social species — keep a group of at least 8 so natural behaviour emerges and stress stays low.
Is the Cochu's Blue Tetra suitable for beginners?: Yes — Cochu's Blue Tetra is one of the easier species to keep and forgives typical first-tank mistakes, as long as the aquarium is cycled and maintained.

Sources

Water & tank

Temperature21–26°C

Optimal temp.22–25°C

pH6–7.5

Hardness (GH)5–12°d

Carbonate (KH)2–4°d

Adult size5.5 cm

Min. volume≥ 60 L

Min. tank length≥ 60 cm

Group size≥ 8

Swimming zoneAll levels

TemperamentPeaceful

Water typeFreshwater

FlowModerate

Lifespan~5 yrs

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