Royal tetra

Inpaichthys kerri

Blue-violet sheen above a dark stripe, with a small adipose fin

The male's blue-violet colour is conspicuous. To tell it from the often-confused emperor tetra, first check for the small fin behind the dorsal fin.

Natural habitat: Native to the Aripuanã drainage in Brazil's upper Madeira basin.

Keep a group, but do not expect constant tight schooling. Small groups may nip fins; large or excessively active companions can cause stress.

Appearance and identification

Females are generally fuller and paler, with a reddish adipose fin; the male's adipose fin is bluish. Nematobrycon palmeri lacks an adipose fin.

Keep a group starting at around six. Monitor chasing and individual condition.

Allow a 60 × 38 cm footprint for a small group, with cover and open activity space.

Offer appropriately sized prepared foods with small frozen or live foods.

Assess companion size and activity separately.

Plants can provide shade. Bright, bare surroundings may leave the fish timid and less colourful.

Sources