HomeFreshwater aquarium fishTetras & characinsBloodfin tetra Bloodfin tetra (Aphyocharax anisitsi) Scientific name: Aphyocharax anisitsi Eigenmann & Kennedy, 1903 The Bloodfin tetra (Aphyocharax anisitsi) is a freshwater fish of the family Characidae that grows to about 5.5 cm (2.2 in). It is easy to keep and peaceful, suits community aquariums and needs a tank of at least 75 L (20 US gal), water at 18–28°C (64–82°F) and a pH of 6.0–8.0. Native range: South America, streams and rivers of Argentina and Paraguay. Bloodfin tetra care at a glanceCare levelEasyTemperamentPeacefulCommunity tankExcellentAdult size5.5 cm (2.2 in)Minimum tank75 L (20 US gal)Temperature18–28°C (64–82°F)pH6.0–8.0Hardness10–30 dGH (178–535 ppm)DietOmnivore. Accepts flakes, frozen foods and live foods. BiologyAdults swim mainly in the upper and middle water layers. Feed on worms, small insects and crustaceans. Aquarium keeping: in groups of 5 or more individuals; minimum aquarium size 60 cm. Mature males always with gill glands and hooks in the anal fin ray.Source: FishBase, licensed CC BY-NC 4.0. Species factsScientific nameAphyocharax anisitsiFamilyCharacidae (Characins)OrderCharaciformes (Characins)ClassActinopterygii (Ray-finned fishes)Maximum length5.5EnvironmentFreshwater;; pH range: 6.0 - 8.0; dH range: ? - 30 benthopelagicClimateSubtropicalDistributionSouth America: Paran? River basin.Conservation status (IUCN)Not EvaluatedThreat to humansHarmlessUsesAquarium: highly commercialResilienceMedium, minimum population doubling time 1.4 - 4.4 years (tm More tetras & characinsPinktail chalceusChalceus macrolepidotusGlowlight tetraHemigrammus erythrozonusHead-and-taillight tetraHemigrammus ocelliferGarnet tetraHemigrammus pulcherBleeding-heart tetraHyphessobrycon erythrostigmaFlame tetraHyphessobrycon flammeusSee all tetras & characins Can it live with...?Bloodfin tetra and Black ghostBloodfin tetra and Black neon tetraBloodfin tetra and Black phantom tetraBloodfin tetra and Black sharkminnowBloodfin tetra and Blackbarred limiaBloodfin tetra and Bleeding-heart tetraBloodfin tetra and Bluespotted corydorasBloodfin tetra and Brilliant rasboraBloodfin tetra and Butterfly splitfinBloodfin tetra and Chinese suckerBloodfin tetra and Clown barbBloodfin tetra and Clown loachBloodfin tetra and Clown rasboraBloodfin tetra and Crescent bettaBloodfin tetra and Dwarf botiaBloodfin tetra and Dwarf rainbowfishBloodfin tetra and Eel LoachBloodfin tetra and Flag tetraBloodfin tetra and Flame tetraBloodfin tetra and Forktail rainbowfishBloodfin tetra and Gangetic leaffishBloodfin tetra and Garnet tetraBloodfin tetra and Glass catfishBloodfin tetra and Glowlight tetraBloodfin tetra and Goldeneye cichlidBloodfin tetra and Gulf gambusiaBloodfin tetra and Head-and-taillight tetraBloodfin tetra and Horseface loachBloodfin tetra and Indian glassy fishBloodfin tetra and Lake Kutubu rainbowfish SourcesTaxonomy, distribution and biology data: FishBase (Froese, R. and D. Pauly, eds.), licensed CC BY-NC 4.0. Aquarium care parameters compiled, checked and converted to metric and imperial units by Guppies.za.net.Last updated 28 September 2026