6 x Cochus Blue Tetra (Boehlkea fredcochui) 6 fish

The Cochus Blue Tetra (Boehlkea fredcochui), also known as Cochu’s Blue Tetra, is a captivating, mid-water characin prized for its electric-blue body and peaceful schooling nature. Native to the Amazon basin, its shimmering coloration and graceful shoaling behavior make it an excellent centerpiece for planted community aquaria. Below is a comprehensive guide to keeping these stunning tetras healthy and vibrant.

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Appearance & Size

• Scientific Name: Boehlkea fredcochui

• Common Name: Cochus Blue Tetra, Cochu’s Blue Tetra

• Adult Size: 4–5 cm (1.5–2″)

• Coloration:

  • Brilliant metallic-blue body with a high-gloss sheen

  • Distinctive narrow black stripe along the caudal peduncle extending into the tail fin

  • Translucent fins often edged with iridescent blue, especially in well-conditioned individuals

• Sexual Dimorphism:

  • Males usually exhibit more intense blue pigmentation and slimmer bodies.

  • Females appear slightly rounder when viewed from above, particularly when carrying eggs.

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Natural Habitat

• Geographic Range: Amazon River tributaries in Brazil, primarily near blackwater and clearwater oxbow lakes.

• Environment:

  • Slow-moving backwaters and floodplain lagoons with abundant submerged vegetation

  • Soft, slightly acidic to neutral water enriched by leaf litter

• Behavior in the Wild:

  • Forms medium-sized shoals (10–20 individuals) in mid-water columns

  • Feeds on small invertebrates, insect larvae, and planktonic organisms

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Tank Requirements

1. Tank Size:

   • Minimum: 60 L (15 gal) for a school of 8–10 fish

   • Ideal: 100 L+ (25 gal) to allow larger shoals and diverse community setups

2. Aquascape & Décor:

   • Substrate: Fine gravel or dark sand to accentuate their blue coloration

   • Plants: Moderately dense planting (e.g., Amazon sword, Vallisneria, Cabomba) with open mid-water swimming areas

   • Driftwood & Leaf Litter: Provides natural grazing surfaces and subtle tannin release for softening water

   • Lighting: Moderate intensity; floating plants (e.g., Salvinia, Riccia) help diffuse lighting and reduce stress

3. Filtration & Flow:

   • Filter: Sponge-prefiltered canister or hang-on-back filter to ensure gentle water movement and protect fry

   • Flow: Moderate—mimics slow river backwaters; avoid strong currents that can exhaust these tetras

4. Water Parameters:

   • Temperature: 24 – 28 °C (75 – 82 °F)

   • pH: 6.0 – 7.0 (slightly acidic to neutral)

   • Hardness: 2 – 8 °dGH (soft to moderately soft)

   • Ammonia/Nitrite: 0 mg/L; Nitrate: < 20 mg/L

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Diet & Feeding

• Natural Diet: Small crustaceans, insect larvae, zooplankton, and plant detritus

• Captive Diet Recommendations:

  1. Staple Foods:

     • High-quality micro-pellets or flakes formulated for tropical community fish

     • Finely crushed granules for juveniles and fry

  2. Protein Supplements (2 – 3× Weekly):

     • Frozen or live daphnia, brine shrimp, mysis shrimp, and bloodworms

     • Micro-type Cyclops or Artemia nauplii for color enhancement

  3. Vegetable Matter (1× Weekly):

     • Blanched spinach, zucchini, or cucumber slices (remove uneaten portions after feeding)

• Feeding Routine:

  • Offer small portions 2 – 3 times daily

  • Monitor feeding to ensure all fishes in the shoal receive adequate nutrition without excess waste

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Behavior & Compatibility

• Social Structure: True shoalers—keep in groups of at least 8 to promote natural schooling and reduce stress

• Temperament:

  • Very peaceful, mid-water swimmer

  • Occupies the center of the water column; rarely interacts aggressively with tankmates

• Tankmates:

  • Ideal companions include other small, gentle mid-water and bottom dwellers:

    • Neon tetras, Rummy-nose tetras, Ember tetras

    • Corydoras catfish, Otocinclus, small rasboras

  • Avoid large or fin-nipping species (e.g., larger barbs, cichlids) that can outcompete or harass them

• Territoriality: Non-territorial; exhibits synchronized group movements and minimal individual aggression

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Care & Maintenance Tips

1. Stable Water Quality:

   • Weekly 20 – 25 % water changes to keep nitrates low and maintain water clarity

   • Use a reliable dechlorinator to neutralize chlorine and chloramine

2. Gradual Acclimation:

   • Float transport bag for 15–20 minutes to equalize temperature, then perform drip acclimation over 30 minutes to adjust to pH/hardness

3. Observational Checks:

   • Healthy Cochus Blue Tetras should exhibit tight shoaling, quick yet graceful movements, and brilliant blue sheen

   • Look for a clear, uninterrupted black tail stripe—any fading may indicate stress or poor water conditions

4. Disease Prevention:

   • Quarantine new additions for 2 weeks to watch for signs of ich, fin rot, or parasitic infections

   • Maintain gentle flow to avoid dead zones where detritus accumulates

5. Breeding Encouragement (Optional):

   • Use a small 30 L breeding tank with fine-leafed plants or spawning mops

   • Slightly softer, more acidic water (pH ~ 6.0, GH < 6) and stable temperature (26 °C) can promote spawning

   • Feed conditioning live/frozen foods (e.g., daphnia) for 2 weeks before introducing a spawning pair

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Health Considerations

• Common Issues:

  • Ich (Ichthyophthirius multifiliis): Look for small white spots on fins/body; treat via gradual heat increase (to 28 °C) and approved antiparasitic medication in quarantine

  • Fin Rot: Inspect for frayed or discolored fins; maintain pristine water, optionally add aquarium salt (0.3 g/L), and use a broad-spectrum antibacterial if needed

  • Nutritional Deficiencies: Dull coloration or weight loss—rectify with varied live/frozen diet and vitamin-enriched flakes

• Preventative Care:

  • Vacuum substrate regularly to remove uneaten food and detritus

  • Monitor schooling cohesion—scattered or lethargic fish may be ill or stressed

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Breeding (In Brief)

1. Pair Selection & Conditioning:

   • Identify potential male (leaner body, stronger blue hues) and female (rounder abdomen) within a healthy school

   • Condition with live daphnia, brine shrimp, and quality pellets for 2 weeks

2. Spawning Setup:

   • Use a 30 L bare-bottom or fine-gravel breeding tank with spawning mops or clumps of Java moss

   • Maintain water at 26 °C, pH ~ 6.0, GH < 6

3. Spawning Behavior:

   • Pair will chase around plants; female deposits 50–100 eggs on mop fibers or plant leaves

   • Remove adults after spawning—eggs hatch in ~24 hours; fry become free-swimming in 4–5 days

4. Raising Fry:

   • Feed liquid infusoria for 5–7 days, then transition to newly hatched brine shrimp and finely crushed flakes

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Where to Buy & Final Tips

• Source: At Aquatropics, Andy hand-selects Cochus Blue Tetras for clarity of tail stripe, brilliant blue coloration, and active shoaling behavior.

• Shipping: We package these tetras in high-oxygen bags with temperature-buffering insulation to minimize stress during transit.

• Ongoing Support: For questions about tank setup, diet adjustments, or breeding techniques, message Andy at Aquatropics—expert advice is always available.

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