Boehlkea fredcochui, also known as the Cochu's blue tetra is a species of characin. Its natural range is in the Amazon Basin. It is commonly kept as an aquarium fish.[1][2]
The fish is named in honor of tropical fish importer Ferdinand (Fred) Cochu of the Paramount Aquarium, who introduced this species to the aquarium hobby around 1956.[3]
Aquarium care
Boehlkea fredcochui, Male and Female
Maximum length: 5.5 cm (2.2 in)
Colors: Blue, pink
Temperature preference: 22-27 Celsius (71-80 Fahrenheit)
pH preference: 6 to 7.5
Hardness preference: Soft to medium (less than 15ºd)
Salinity preference: No salt
Compatibility: Generally peaceful, may nip fins during feeding or when stressed
Life span: Typically 2 to 3 years
Ease of keeping: Easy
Ease of breeding: Moderate to hard
As for other schooling characins, the cochu's blue tetra should always be kept in groups of at least six. A very active fish, it requires open areas in which to swim and is best kept in aquariums 90 cm (35 in) or larger. Aggression is generally limited to conspecifics in appropriate setups, but they may harass other fish in too small a tank, or without enough other tetras.
Spawning may occur in home setups, with the eggs being scattered over fine leafed plants. Soft, acidic water is required for hatching to occur. Males may be differentiated from females by their slimmer, more streamlined form and more intense colouration.
References
^Froese, Rainer; Pauly, Daniel (eds.) (2016). "Boehlkea fredcochui" in FishBase. January 2016 version.
^Thomaz, A.T., Arcila, D., Ortí, G. & Malabarba, L.R. (2015): Molecular phylogeny of the subfamily Stevardiinae Gill, 1858 (Characiformes: Characidae): classification and the evolution of reproductive traits. BMC Evolutionary Biology, (2015) 15: 146.
^Christopher Scharpf & Kenneth J. Lazara (22 September 2018). "Order CHARACIFORMES: Family CHARACIDAE: Subfamily STEVARDIINAE + Incertae sedis". The ETYFish Project Fish Name Etymology Database. Christopher Scharpf and Kenneth J. Lazara. Retrieved 12 November 2021.
