Bleeding heart tetra care guide

Plan a tank with bleeding heart tetrasSee all tank mates

Bleeding heart tetra quick facts

Tank setup

A group of 8 needs at least 29 gallons (110 L), and a tank 32 in (80 cm) or longer, such as a 30-gallon breeder or a 40-gallon, is better. Give them plants, driftwood and shaded spots, with open water in the middle. Dim light and floating plants make them bolder and more colorful.

How many bleeding heart tetras in a tank?

The smallest common tank that suits bleeding heart tetras is a 40 gallon. Here is roughly how many fit in each size when they are the only fish, based on adult size and waste output. Leave room if you want tank mates.

Water parameters

Keep the water at 73–81°F (23–27°C), pH 5.5–7.2 and soft to medium hardness. Some fish in shops are still wild-caught and are less forgiving of poor water. Add them only to a mature, cycled tank and keep up with weekly water changes.

Best tank mates for bleeding heart tetras

These popular species share bleeding heart tetras' water needs and temperament. See the full list of 86 good matches.

• Nerite snail

  2.5 cm (1 in) · 22–27°C (72–81°F)

• Neon tetra

  3.5 cm (1.4 in) · 21–25°C (70–77°F)

• Panda corydoras

  4.5 cm (1.8 in) · 21–25°C (70–77°F)

• Bristlenose pleco

  12 cm (4.7 in) · 22–26°C (72–79°F)

• Bronze corydoras

  7 cm (2.8 in) · 21–26°C (70–79°F)

• Zebra danio

  5 cm (2 in) · 18–25°C (64–77°F)

• Assassin snail

  2.5 cm (1 in) · 22–27°C (72–81°F)

• Ramshorn snail

  2 cm (0.8 in) · 21–27°C (70–81°F)

Avoid keeping bleeding heart tetras with

• Cherry shrimp: Bleeding heart tetra eats small shrimp like cherry shrimp.
• Common goldfish: They need different temperatures: Bleeding heart tetra 23–27°C (73–81°F), common goldfish 15–22°C (59–72°F).
• Oscar: Oscar can eat bleeding heart tetras: they're small enough to fit in its mouth once it's grown.
• Chinese algae eater: Chinese algae eater is aggressive and will bully or injure peaceful bleeding heart tetras.
• Convict cichlid: Convict cichlid is aggressive and will bully or injure peaceful bleeding heart tetras.
• Discus: They need different temperatures: Bleeding heart tetra 23–27°C (73–81°F), discus 28–30°C (82–86°F).

Feeding

Feed a quality flake or small pellet that includes some plant or algae content. Add frozen or live bloodworms, daphnia and brine shrimp a few times a week. Wild fish also eat fruit and insects, so variety keeps them in good shape.

Behavior

Bleeding hearts are peaceful overall, but males spar with each other and sometimes with similar-shaped fish. In small groups some fish nip fins. A group of 8 or more, plus other calm schooling fish, keeps them relaxed. Good tank mates include other tetras, hatchetfish, pencilfish, corydoras, small plecos and peaceful cichlids.

Breeding

They scatter eggs and give no parental care, but they are not often bred at home. Try a dim breeding tank with soft, acidic water, fine-leaved plants or a spawning mop, and a slightly higher temperature. Remove the adults after spawning so they don't eat the eggs.

Tips from experienced keepers

• Buy a group of 8 or more at once. Lone or paired fish hide more and are more likely to nip.
• Males grow taller dorsal fins and longer anal fins, while females are rounder. Aim for a mix of both.
• Acclimate slowly and add them to a mature tank, since wild-caught fish can be delicate at first.
• Skip bettas and fancy guppies. Bleeding hearts may pick at long fins when stressed.
• Dwarf shrimp like cherries may be eaten. Larger amano shrimp are a safer choice.

Sources

We checked these references when writing this page. Values are for healthy long-term keeping, not survival limits. Last reviewed 2026-10-13. See our editorial policy.

• seriouslyfish.com
• fishbase.se
• aquariumsource.com
• riverparkaquatics.co.uk
• researcharchive.calacademy.org