Scratched Inpa Tetra

Scratched Inpa Tetra, Inpaichthys parauapiranga, is a small South American characin native to the Rio Aripuanã drainage of the Brazilian Amazon. It inhabits forest streams, small tributaries, flooded margins, and areas rich in submerged roots, leaf litter, and overhanging vegetation. These habitats are typically warm, soft, and slightly acidic, with subdued lighting and gentle water movement.

Adult Scratched Inpa Tetras typically reach about 1.5 to 2 inches in length. The body is slender, streamlined, and laterally compressed with a pale silver to lavender-gold sheen. The defining feature is the pattern of orange to reddish broken horizontal dashes running in neat rows along the body, creating a scratched or etched appearance without forming a solid stripe. Mature fish often show a soft pink to rosy patch behind the gill plate, with yellow-orange coloration in the dorsal, anal, and caudal fins. Under good lighting, the body flashes subtle violet, gold, and copper tones, giving the fish a bright, refined appearance rather than a dark or heavily marked look.

A tank of at least 15 to 20 gallons is suitable for a proper school, though larger aquariums provide greater stability and a stronger display. Scratched Inpa Tetras are active schooling fish and should be maintained in groups of eight or more to encourage natural behavior and reduce stress. The aquarium should include plants, driftwood, leaf litter, and shaded areas while preserving open swimming space through the midwater. Dark substrates and subdued lighting help emphasize their warm body color and fine patterning.

Water conditions should remain stable and clean. Temperatures between 74 and 80 degrees Fahrenheit are appropriate, with a pH range of roughly 5.5 to 7.0 and soft to moderately soft water preferred. Like many Amazonian characins, this species displays its best coloration and behavior under stable conditions with regular water changes and excellent water quality.

Feeding is straightforward. In nature they consume small insects, larvae, microcrustaceans, and other aquatic invertebrates. In the aquarium they readily accept flakes, micro-pellets, frozen foods such as daphnia, cyclops, and baby brine shrimp, along with a variety of prepared foods. A varied diet helps maximize coloration, condition, and overall health.

Temperament is peaceful and community-friendly. Scratched Inpa Tetras coexist well with other small, non-aggressive fish including pencilfish, Corydoras, rasboras, dwarf cichlids, and other peaceful tetras. Their active but non-aggressive nature makes them especially well suited to planted and Amazonian community aquariums.

Breeding is possible but rarely attempted. Like many small characins, they are egg scatterers that deposit eggs among fine-leaved plants and spawning media. Adults provide no parental care and may consume eggs if left in the breeding aquarium.

Inpaichthys parauapiranga is a bright, unusual, and visually distinctive small tetra that stands apart through its lavender-gold body, orange-red scratched patterning, rosy cheek color, and yellow-orange fins. When kept in a proper school, the Scratched Inpa Tetra brings a warm, shimmering display to planted South American aquariums.