Royal Blue Tetra (Inpaichthys kerri) Care Guide
Inpaichthys kerri is a small iridescent purplish-blue characid from the Brazilian Aripuana basin, peaceful and best kept in groups.
Overview
Inpaichthys kerri, the royal (or purple emperor) tetra, is a small characid from Brazil. It shows iridescent purplish-blue coloration with a horizontal dark stripe along the body. It is a peaceful schooling species that displays its best colours in a group.
Taxonomy
- Family: Characidae
- Genus: Inpaichthys
- Scientific name: Inpaichthys kerri
Habitat
FishBase and Seriously Fish record the species from the Rio Aripuana and the upper Rio Madeira basin in Mato Grosso, Brazil. It inhabits sluggish, forested tributaries with tannin-stained, acidic water.
Tank requirements
- Minimum tank volume: 80 L
- Temperature: 24-28 °C (75-82 °F)
- pH: 5.5-7.0
- GH: 1-8 °dGH
- School size: 8 or more individuals
- Lifespan: 3-5 years
Diet
The species is an omnivore. Seriously Fish notes it accepts most prepared foods and benefits from regular meals of small live and frozen foods such as brine shrimp and Daphnia, fed about twice daily.
Compatibility
This is a peaceful mid-water species that does not compete well with boisterous or much larger tankmates. It suits calm community aquaria alongside species such as Corydoras and Apistogramma. Sexes differ in colour: Seriously Fish notes males have a blue adipose fin while females have a predominantly red one and are stockier.
Breeding
Inpaichthys kerri is an egg-scattering species. According to Seriously Fish the eggs hatch in 24-48 hours and the fry become free-swimming 3-4 days later, initially requiring infusoria-grade foods before graduating to microworm or brine shrimp nauplii.
Conservation status
The IUCN Red List assesses Inpaichthys kerri as Least Concern (assessed 7 November 2018).