Blue Ribbon Tetra 3.5cm

Blue Ribbon Tetra

The Blue Ribbon Tetra, is a stunning, uniquely coloured tetra that would be the perfect way of adding some life and gentle movement to an aquarium. These small fish are fairly easy to take care of and aside from being a great community fish, blue ribbon tetras are also fantastic to keep in a species-only aquarium. They really aren’t a common species in the Australian aquarium trade either which makes them a great collectors species. Blue Ribbon Tetras are elegantly simple in their beauty, their body colour is split between a beautiful pastel blue colour streak in the upper half and the lower half being a shimmering silver.

This is divided by a jet-black line that runs from nose to tail. The tail section has small flashes of yellow and the faintest red hue for some additional contrast. The wide and stocky body of this species makes them look quite close to something like an emperor tetra yet these fish have their very own special beauty. Naturally, these fish come from blackwater streams, thriving among the dense vegetation and tannin-stained waters, making them ideal for aquascapes that emulate these environments. The relaxed and elegant nature of these fish also makes them the perfect complimentary species for high-tech planted aquascapes.

Breeding blue ribbon tetras is doable in captivity as these fish breed just like any other tetra species. Females tend to be rounder than males in body shape, the easiest way of breeding them is to get a group of 6 or more and add them into a dedicated breeding aquarium with plentiful amounts of moss or a spawning mop. After feeding these fish a high-protein diet and giving them clean water they should spawn readily, from here they can be removed and the fry can be allowed to rise up.

Tank Recommendations for your Blue Ribbon Tetra
Being a very small and relatively easy to care for fish the blue ribbon tetra can be kept in nano aquariums with the minimum being a 60 litre system. These fish can be kept in a very affordable aquarium setting as well with just a simple sponge filter, low-power lighting, some moss, and simple decor. A sand or gravel substrate would be fine for these tetras as well as a lot of plant growth which not only makes them contrast really well but also makes them more comfortable in the aquarium to swim out in the open. Blue ribbon tetras are soft water fish meaning they require a low PH. They can be kept in PH as low as 6 and will even look stunning in a black water aquarium setting.

Suitable Tank Buddies
The blue-ribbon tetra is an extremely peaceful fish that displays no aggression at all. They may actually be quite shy which is why it is recommended to keep them in relatively large schools. They can also be shy and slow which is why it is better to avoid larger fast-moving fish.

Usually Compatible
Blueberry tetras, emperor tetras, plecos, corydoras, shrimp Bolivian rams, and other small community fish.

Sometimes Compatible
Blue ribbon tetras can be a relatively slow fish so any fin-nipping species or fish that may outcompete them for food such as giant danios, tiger barbs, angelfish, or torpedo barbs.

Rarely Compatible
Large and aggressive species such as rainbow sharks, Raphael catfish, and larger-mouthed community fish may prey on the tetras.

Feeding your Blue Ribbon Tetra
Blue ribbon tetras are a very easy fish to feed. They will take a wide range of pellets, flakes, and frozen foods. The ideal diet would be a good quality micro slow-sinking pellet or crushed flake, supplemented with frozen bloodworms or even live foods like baby brine shrimp.