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.
Compiled by Aquairi from published sources · Published · Updated
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).
Royal Blue Tetra Breeding Guide
Overview
The Royal Blue Tetra (Inpaichthys kerri), also sold as the Purple or Royal Emperor Tetra, is a small Brazilian characid. It is an egg-scattering tetra that gives no parental care, so spawning is carried out in a dedicated tank from which the adults are removed once eggs are laid.
Sexing
Seriously Fish notes that females are far less colourful and stockier in body shape than males. A reliable cue is the adipose fin: males show a blue adipose fin while females have a predominantly red one.
Conditioning
For group spawning, condition about half a dozen of each sex on plenty of small live foods. For pair spawning, condition the sexes separately, then select the fattest female and best-coloured male.
Breeding Setup
- Spawning tank around 18 x 10 x 10 inches (about 45 x 25 x 25 cm).
- Very dim lighting.
- Temperature 24-28 C (75-82 F).
- pH 5.5-6.5 with general hardness around 1-5; soft, acidic water with RO water and peat filtration recommended.
- Clumps of fine-leaved plants such as java moss or spawning mops, or a mesh base that lets eggs fall out of reach.
- Gentle air-powered sponge filter.
Spawning Behavior & Trigger
For pair spawning, transfer the selected pair to the spawning tank in the evening; they should spawn the following morning. Eggs are scattered among the plants or fall through the mesh. Adults eat the eggs and must be removed immediately afterwards.
Egg & Fry Care
Eggs hatch in around 24-48 hours and the fry are free-swimming about 3-4 days later. Offer infusoria-type foods for the first several days, then microworm and brine shrimp nauplii as the fry grow.
Common Challenges
Egg predation by adults is the main hurdle, so timely removal is essential. As with related tetras, genuinely soft, acidic water and subdued lighting improve fertilisation and fry survival.