Blue King Tetra

💙 Blue King Tetra
A true electric‑blue schooling fish with simple care needs

The Blue King Tetra — also known as Cochu’s Blue Tetra — is one of the few freshwater fish that displays a true, vivid blue coloration. It’s active, hardy, and perfect for planted community tanks.

Below is a complete, structured care guide based on the information from the search results.

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🐟 Species Overview
| Attribute | Details |
|———-|———|
| Scientific Name | Boehlkea fredcochui |
| Common Names | Blue King Tetra, Cochu’s Blue Tetra |
| Adult Size | ~2 inches (5 cm) |
| Lifespan | 3–4 years |
| Origin | Amazon River Basin |
| Temperament | Active, shoaling, may nip long fins |
| Difficulty | Easy, beginner‑friendly |

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🌈 Appearance
– Iridescent electric blue body that intensifies under good lighting
– A broad black horizontal stripe along the body
– Slight pinkish “blush” near the tail, giving a shimmering effect

This makes them stand out beautifully in planted aquascapes — something right up your alley.

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🏡 Tank Requirements

Minimum Tank Size
– 20 gallons for a proper shoal (6–10 fish)

Ideal Setup
– Planted aquarium — they look best against greens and shadows
– Open swimming space (they are fast, active fish)
– Dark substrate enhances their blue coloration
– Gentle to moderate flow

Water Parameters
| Parameter | Ideal Range |
|———-|————-|
| Temperature | 23–27°C |
| pH | 6.0–7.5 |
| Hardness | Soft to moderately hard |

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🐠 Behavior & Tank Mates
– Must be kept in groups of 6+ to reduce stress and aggression
– Very active swimmers
– Can nip long‑finned fish (angels, guppies, bettas)
– Best with:
– Other tetras
– Rasboras
– Corydoras
– Dwarf cichlids
– Peaceful barbs

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🍽️ Diet
They are omnivores and not picky.

Feed:
– High‑quality micro pellets
– Flake food
– Frozen daphnia, brine shrimp
– Live foods for color enhancement

A varied diet helps maintain their intense blue sheen.

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🧬 Breeding Notes
– Egg scatterers
– Require a separate breeding tank
– Soft, acidic water improves success
– Adults will eat eggs — use mesh or dense plants

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⭐ Pro Tips (Aquascaper to Aquascaper)
– Use directional lighting to make their blue glow pop.
– Keep them in a mid‑water shoal to create movement and contrast in planted layouts.
– Combine with warm-toned fish (reds/oranges) for a stunning color palette.