Blue Emperor Tetra | Inpaichthys kerri

Characins / Characinae / Blue Emperor Tetra

Profile: Blue Emperor Tetra, King Tetra
Inpaichthys kerri
SYN: None
PD: The male and female are different in coloration. The male's dorsal fin is elongated and adipose fin is blue. The other fins are transparent, but the pectoral and anal fins also have a tinge of blue. The back is light blue. A broad iridescent dark blue stripe extends from the snout through the eye and to the tail. From this stripe up the body is light blue. Under the stripe is pale blue until the belly where the color changes to beige. The female also has an elongated dorsal fin but the adipose fin is brown or black. It has a broad black line instead of blue and the area above it is beige with silvery-blue sheen, in reflected light. The belly is white and occasionally has a silvery sheen. The fins are transparent.
SIZE: Males to 1.6" (4 cm), while females reach 1.2" (3 cm)
SS: Emperor Tetra ( Nematobrycon palmeri)
S: middle
HAB: South America; Rio Aripuana, a tributary of the Rio Madeira in Brazil.
TANK: A group can be kept in a 20" (50 cm) or 10 gallon (38 L) tank. Although, a 28" (70 cm) or 20-30 gallon (75-114 L) tank is preferred. Arrange the tank in dark colors, including a dark substrate. Use a cover of floating plants to darken the tank. The tank should be heavily planted with an open swimming area provided. A piece of driftwood should be used to serve as a retreat for a harassed female.
WATER: pH 6.5-7.5 (7.0); 4-15 dH (12); 75-82°F (24-28°C)
FOOD: Flake; live; insect larvae, Brine Shrimp, Tubifex.
SB: A peaceful fish that is recommended for community tanks having other calm fish. Do not combine with aggressive or fin-nipping fish. Keep this fish in a small school.
SC: Tetras, Corydoras, Apistogramma, Loricarids, Discus, Colisa.
SEX: Male has larger fins and is more colorful.
B: After separate conditioning, place the pair in breeding tank that is 73-79°F (23-26°C), has a water hardness from 4-8 dH, pH of 6-7. The tank should be well planted. After the female lays the eggs on plants, both parents should be removed. The eggs will hatch in 24-30 hours and the fry are free swimming after five days. Feed the young, crushed flake food and paramecia.
BP: 7. Breeding is fairly difficult.
R: A delicate species; use good water conditioner. If good water qualities are maintained, the beautiful colors of this fish will develop. The Blue Emperor is commercially bred in Germany.
DC: 4. The Blue Emperor is sensitive to water pollutants.