Blue Sapphire Tetra

The Rubra Tetra (Moenkhausia rubra), also known as the Blue Sapphire Tetra, is a relatively rare characin species native to Rio Juína, Rio Juruena, and the upper Rio Tapajós of Brazil. This species was only recently described in 2014. The name “rubra” comes from the Latin word for red and refers to the reddish tones of the body, especially on the back of breeding males. Their other name, the Blue Sapphire Tetra, refers to the shimmery blue/green iridescence they also have.  As with many tetras, the Rubra Tetra will do best in groups and is peaceful towards similarly sized and temperament tankmates.