Columbian tetra

The Colombian Tetra is a striking freshwater schooling fish known for its shimmering silver-blue body and vibrant red fins. Under good aquarium lighting, their metallic scales can display beautiful blue and turquoise tones, creating an impressive contrast against their bright red finnage.

Colombian Tetras are active, confident swimmers and are best maintained in groups. Their larger size and energetic behaviour make them particularly well suited to medium and larger community aquariums with similarly sized, active tank mates.

• Common Name: Colombian Tetra / Red and Blue Colombian Tetra
• Scientific Name: Hyphessobrycon columbianus
• Family: Characidae
• Adult Size: Approximately 6–7 cm
• Temperament: Peaceful to semi-aggressive
• Care Level: Easy to moderate
• Minimum Tank Size: Approximately 80–100 litres+
• Temperature: Approximately 23–28°C
• pH: Approximately 6.0–7.5
• Diet: Omnivorous
• Aquarium Level: Middle to upper levels
• Social Behaviour: Schooling species
• Recommended Group: At least 6, with larger groups preferred
• Lifespan: Approximately 3–5+ years with appropriate care

Feeding

Colombian Tetras are enthusiastic feeders and readily accept a wide variety of aquarium foods. Provide a quality tropical flake, pellet, or granule as the staple diet.

Supplement with frozen or live foods such as brine shrimp, daphnia, bloodworms, and other appropriately sized foods. A varied, nutritious diet helps maintain healthy growth, body condition, metallic blue colouration, and vibrant red fins.

Aquarium Care

Provide plenty of open swimming space while incorporating live plants, driftwood, and other natural features around the sides and rear of the aquarium.

Good filtration, stable water parameters, and regular partial water changes are important. Colombian Tetras are active swimmers and appreciate clean, well-oxygenated water with gentle to moderate circulation.

Although generally suitable for community aquariums, they can occasionally nip fins, particularly when kept in groups that are too small. Keeping a larger school helps distribute their attention and encourages more natural behaviour.

Avoid very timid, slow-moving, or long-finned tank mates. They generally perform best alongside similarly sized and active peaceful community species.

Colour & Appearance

Colombian Tetras are recognised for their metallic silver-blue bodies and contrasting bright red fins. Their blue colouration can become particularly impressive under quality aquarium lighting.

Colour intensity may vary depending on age, genetics, diet, stress, lighting, and aquarium conditions.

Shipping

• Australia-wide shipping available where permitted
• Fish are carefully packed for safe transport
• Local pickup available by appointment from Fins 'N' Feathers
• Shipping availability may depend on destination, weather conditions, fish size, and applicable biosecurity restrictions

Live Arrival

Please inspect livestock immediately upon arrival. If there is an issue with your order, contact us as soon as possible in accordance with our live arrival policy and provide clear photos of the fish in its unopened transport bag where applicable.

Actual size, metallic colouration, red fin intensity, and overall appearance may vary between individual fish due to age, genetics, stress, and environmental conditions.