Blue King Tetra (Boehlkea fredcochui), Cochu's blue tetra

The Blue King Tetra (Boehlkea fredcochui), also known as Cochu's blue tetra, is an active, striking freshwater fish from South America. It features a slender silvery body with a bright, iridescent cobalt blue sheen. They grow up to 2 inches (5 cm) long and make lively additions to planted community aquariums.

Ideal Tank Conditions

Tank Size: Minimum of 20 to 25 gallons (75–95 liters) to accommodate their fast, constant swimming

Water Temperature: 72°F – 82°F (22.2°C – 27.7°C)

pH Level: 5.5 to 7.6

Setup: Well-planted tanks with driftwood, a dark substrate to make their blue colors pop, and a secure lid (they are active and can jump).

Behavior and Care

Social: Must be kept in a school or shoal of at least 6 individuals (preferably more) to reduce stress and nipping behavior.

Temperament: Generally peaceful with similarly sized fish, though their energetic and boisterous nature means they should not be housed with slow or delicate long-finned fish like bettas or fancy guppies.

Diet: Omnivorous; they easily accept high-quality flakes, micro pellets, and frozen or live foods like brine shrimp and daphnia.