Tankwise

A deep-bodied tetra with a red 'bleeding heart' spot; gentle, but it wants soft, warm water.

  • Temperature23–28 °C
  • pH5.5–7
  • Minimum tank70 L
  • DifficultyIntermediate
FoodFlake/pellet + frozen
Feeding1–2 feeds a day
Water change25% weekly

Behaviour and habits

The bleeding-heart tetra is a deep-bodied, gentle shoaler with a red spot on the flank and, on males, a long, sweeping dorsal fin. It is peaceful and slightly shy, and shows its colour and finnage best in soft, warm, planted water and a group of six or more, where it drifts calmly among the plants. With rough or nippy tankmates its long fins suffer, so company matters.

What to feed, and how often

Flake or pellet plus frozen daphnia and bloodworm; feed one or two light meals a day and vary the diet, which keeps the red spot vivid and the males' fins strong.

Water changes and maintenance

Change about 25% weekly in soft, warm water, matched closely. It is a touch more demanding than the hardiest tetras and rewards stability and a mature, planted tank.

Care and how easy it is

Keep it in soft, warm water with a group and no fin-nippers; a planted tank with calm companions suits it best.

Common health problems

Prone to ich and fin rot, and its long fins are easily nipped by boisterous tankmates.

If it gets sick

Avoid fin-nippers, keep the water clean and stable, and treat early if the fins are damaged or spots appear.

Good tank mates

BettaBeginner with a prepared single-fish tank
BettaBetta splendens
  • 24-26 C
  • pH 6.5-7.5
  • 40 L+; 45 x 30 cm base
Bettas & gouramis | Territorial | Carnivore
GuppyBeginner with population planning
GuppyPoecilia reticulata
  • 22-26 C
  • pH 7.0-8.5
  • 60 L+; 60 x 30 cm base
Livebearers | Social; males pursue females | Omnivore
PlatyBeginner
PlatyXiphophorus maculatus
  • 20–26°C
  • pH 7–8.2
  • 50 L+
Livebearers · Peaceful · Omnivore
MollyBeginner
MollyPoecilia sphenops
  • 22–28°C
  • pH 7–8.5
  • 70 L+
Livebearers · Peaceful · Omnivore

Best avoided with

Similar species

Neon tetraIntermediate; stable group aquarium
Neon tetraParacheirodon innesi
  • 21-25 C
  • pH 6.0-7.5
  • 60 L+; 60 x 30 cm base
Tetras & rasboras | Peaceful shoaler | Omnivore
Cardinal tetraIntermediate
Cardinal tetraParacheirodon axelrodi
  • 23–28°C
  • pH 5–6.8
  • 60 L+
Tetras & rasboras · Peaceful · Omnivore
Black widow tetraBeginner
Black widow tetraGymnocorymbus ternetzi
  • 22–27°C
  • pH 6–7.5
  • 60 L+
Tetras & rasboras · Peaceful · Omnivore
Rummy-nose tetraIntermediate
Rummy-nose tetraHemigrammus rhodostomus
  • 24–28°C
  • pH 5.5–7
  • 60 L+
Tetras & rasboras · Peaceful · Omnivore

Compare at a glance

ParametersBleeding heart tetraNeon tetraCardinal tetraBlack widow tetra
Parameters
Temp23–28 °C20–26 °C23–28 °C22–27 °C
pH5.5–75.5–7.55–6.86–7.5
GH2–12 °dGH2–12 °dGH1–8 °dGH4–15 °dGH
Min. tank70 L50 L60 L60 L
Size6 cm3 cm4 cm5 cm
DietOmnivoreOmnivoreOmnivoreOmnivore
TemperamentPeacefulPeacefulPeacefulPeaceful
DifficultyIntermediateIntermediateIntermediateBeginner

Care guides

GuideHow Often Should You Feed Fish?Overfeeding causes more aquarium problems than underfeeding. Here is a realistic feeding routine, and the signs that you are giving too much.GuideHow Often Should You Change Aquarium Water?Water changes remove waste that the filter cannot, and keep minerals topped up. There is no single number, but there is a simple way to find yours.

New to the words? See the aquarium glossary.

Sources and research notes

Parameters are typical ranges for the species in home aquariums and vary with the individual fish and the water you use.