Blue Emporer Tetra, Inpaichthys kerri

**k3nlim** · 13th Jun 2008, 02:13

Anyone have experience keeping the above fishes? Saw some in suntec

**Wackytpt** · 13th Jun 2008, 09:06

What experience are you asking about?

They are the same as any tetras.

Cheers

**k3nlim** · 13th Jun 2008, 09:49

Are they more sensitive to water conditions than other tetras? Spawning details are the same as emperor tetras(nematobrycon palmeri)?

Regarding to sexing, are they the same as normal emperor tetra (nematobrycon palmeri), just look at the eyes or body shape?

Quite interested in this fish after seeing their pictures...really nice shade of blue.

**DanGoh59** · 13th Jun 2008, 10:12

Hi Bro,

If you're attracted because you've seen pictures of this fish from books,
etc, showing a beautiful shade of blue, I strongly advise you to think
again. I too was initially attracted when I saw my first pic of this so-
called "Blue" Emperor Tetra. In real life, they hardly attain the level
of blueness that are frequently portrayed in the pictures. I have no idea
whether it is due to the water parameters in our local tanks or that pics had been doctored or whatever.

Just sharing my thoughts.

**Quixotic** · 13th Jun 2008, 17:57

The blue is for real. However, I think that the colour of the fish may depend on the spectrum of the light that is being used. Sometimes, LFS use different light spectrums for the fish for some "special effects".

The fish also does not show the kind of sexual dimorphism that N. palmeri does (i.e. male fish has elongated filament extensions on the caudal fin). Female I. kerri are generally less colourful compared to the male. So if the fish doesn't look as blue, you could have gotten yourself female specimens.

As with other tetras, keep in groups of 5 or more and good swimming space.

**k3nlim** · 13th Jun 2008, 23:12

Thanks you all for the information. I agree that the lightening does have some effects on showing the "special effects" of the fishes.

The lightening at lfs during daytime is not bright enough and most of the fishes are pretty much "colourless", i am going to have trouble trying to sort out the males and females...

Guess will have to go during evening when the lights are on.

**k3nlim** · 12th Jul 2008, 00:12

What light spectrum to bring out the blue of this tetras? Blue light tube?

**blue33** · 12th Jul 2008, 00:15

I heard before that if high KH the colour of the fish is more vibrant, dont know true or not.

**k3nlim** · 12th Jul 2008, 00:22

I'm using 10 000k T5HO tubes 48watts....not sure if lower K tubes will show the colour but without damage to the plants especially hc..

Just a thought, given a lower K tubes, it won't be that bright thus allowing the lights to reflect of the fishes better?

The colours show up when i switch off the lights.