Blue Cochu Tetra

Boehlkea fredcochui, the Blue Cochu or Cochu's Blue Tetra, is a slender, elongated tetra from the upper Amazon of Peru that produces a vivid, neon-blue lateral stripe of remarkable intensity. Under good lighting, the stripe rivals even the cardinal tetra for brightness. Males are slightly slimmer with more vivid coloration. This species is best kept in soft, slightly acidic water that mimics the tea-colored Peruvian Amazon streams. It is peaceful and schools well but is somewhat more sensitive than beginner-level tetras. Dense planting and subdued lighting help reduce stress and bring out the full vibrancy of the blue stripe.

Water: Soft, slightly acidic; pH 5.5–7.0, temperature 23–28 °C. Tannins enhance color and reduce stress. Tank: 60 L minimum; densely planted with floating plants to reduce surface light intensity. Dark substrate. Feeding: Omnivore; micro-pellets, quality flake, frozen baby brine shrimp, cyclops, and daphnia. Breeding: Egg-scatterer; soft acidic water required. More challenging than common tetras. Compatibility: Peaceful; ideal with other small South American species. Avoid aggressive or larger tankmates.