FishProfiles.com Message Forums

Anyone have any experience with Kerri tetra.

Djrichie
"Don't Panic"

Djrichie
"So Long, and Thanks For All The Fish" Douglas Adams

Emperor tetras? Sure, what kind of information are you looking for?

---

And when he gets to Heaven, to Saint Peter he will tell: "One more Marine reporting, Sir! I've served my time in Hell."

specifications of fish, requirements, general activity of fish

Emperor and Kerri tetra are the same then?

Thank You
DjRichie
"Don't Panic"

Djrichie
"So Long, and Thanks For All The Fish" Douglas Adams

No, they're not -- the regular Emperor Tetra is Nematobrycon palmeri and comes from Colombia, while the Blue Emperor (discovered only in 1977), alias the "Kerri tetra", is Inpaichthys kerri and comes from southern Brazil. They aren't even in the same genus, and their physical resemblance isn't that close either.

Regular Emperors are considerably bigger when full-grown; the purple sheen of the bodies of their adult males, while intense, isn't nearly as bright as the brilliant lavender-and-sky-blue glow of adult male Kerris. The male Emperors, on the other hand, have bright sky-blue eyes, which the Kerris lack. Juveniles and adult females of both species are relatively dingy-looking; but female regular Emperors have green eyes. The adult males of both species are extremely attractive -- it's kind of a judgment call which is more so, although I go with the Kerris myself.

Both require pretty clean, slightly acid water -- with the Kerris apparently being more delicate in that regard; and the Kerris also seem to require regular doses of Blackwater Tonic or they lose their resistance to frequent bacterial infections. Neither one, however, is really all that hard to keep alive -- they're considerably less delicate than Rams, for instance. Neither one seems to school, but they are totally nonhostile to other fish (unlike Cochu's Blue Tetras). I would enthusiastically recommend either one to anyone who's willing to devote even a modest amount of work to keeping his fish alive; they're gorgeous.

"No, they're not"

Yeah, he caught me there. Definitely distinct from each other. The blue emperors are not as hardy as many of the common Hyphessobrycon or Hemigrammus tetras, but aren't too tough to take care of as Bruce said. The ones I've seen have never been too active, preferring to space apart and hang around in the water column. They're nice fish to have though, quite good-looking.

---

And when he gets to Heaven, to Saint Peter he will tell: "One more Marine reporting, Sir! I've served my time in Hell."

Photo of Inpaichthys kerri for reference

Comparison photo of Nematobrycon palmeri

As Bruce said above, the Inpaichthys kerri should be considered "Interesting, beautiful but challenging". For success, pay particular attention to water quality, consider peat filtration as something that may be needed with this fish if you're going to be successful (particularly if you wish to attempt breeding) and it might be a good idea to have a supply of mosquito larvae on tap to feed this species with, as it's probably insectivorous in the wild.

In a community setup, is likely to fare best in an Amazonian community, alongside other peaceful Amazonian Tetras, smaller Apistogramma Dwarf Cichlids, Corydoras Catfishes, and is also reputed to be a suitable fish to keep alongside Discus - whose propensity for soft, acid water is shared by Inpaichthys kerri. Basically, if you keep this species in the same water conditions used for Discus breeding, it's likely to be happy.


Panda Catfish fan and keeper/breeder since Christmas 2002

Thank You for the info. Thats what i needed to know

Djrichie
"Don't Panic"

Djrichie
"So Long, and Thanks For All The Fish" Douglas Adams