Classification Aphyocharax anisitsi, also known as the bloodfin tetra, belongs to the Characidae family, which is part of the Characiformes order of fish. Characiformes order Characiformes is an order of freshwater fish that includes over 2000 species in several families, including the Characidae, Crenuchidae, and Erythrinidae families. Characiformes are found primarily in South and Central […]
Closely related to Aphyocharax anisitsi (Bloodfin), this species is much less frequently seen in the hobby. This is a shame because it is an elegant, strikingly patterned fish, with the added attraction that the male’s anal fin possesses a brilliant white, curved extension along its front edge.
This is the fish generally regarded within the hobby as the “true” Bloodfin, although A. rathbuni (Rathbun’s Bloodfin) can exhibit even deeper red coloration. Corning from an area a little distance from the genuinely tropical zones of South America, this species can tolerate coldwater aquarium temperatures as long as they are not allowed to drop excessively. However, best coloration is exhibited when kept within a tropical regime. The species is long-lived, with some specimens reportedly attaining an age of ten years.
A black blotch behind the gills is a characteristic of these tetras, as is the relatively transparent body—hence the “phantom” of their common name. They look elegant in a shoal, thanks in part to the tall dorsal fin, which is more prominent in males. Include floating plants in their tank to mimic their natural habitat.