Top 10 Iconic Discoveries of Heiko Bleher

Amar Salvi
Dec 26, 2025
3 min read

An editorial selection of ten of Heiko Bleher’s most influential discoveries, highlighting the species, regions, and stories that left a lasting impact on the global aquarium hobby and brought remote ecosystems into the spotlight.

By Amar Salvi, Editor — The Weekend Aquarist

Estimated read time: 7–9 minutes

A name that shaped modern aquariums

How does one do justice to an article featuring Heiko’s discoveries and bring it down to only ten? That was a dilemma we faced, and we focused on the discoveries that have made the most impact on the hobby and the trade. From literal hundreds of discoveries over his 75 years of aquatic exploration, here are our top 10—and by no means a definitive list.

For over seven decades, Heiko Bleher set out in search of fish, rivers, and stories—from the backwaters of the Amazon to the remote corners of Africa and Asia. Along the way, he introduced, rediscovered, and brought to the world hundreds of fish species—many of which have become iconic in aquariums today.

In The Weekend Aquarist – Issue 8, we dedicate a special tribute to one of the most influential aquarium explorers of all time, marking 75 years of aquatic exploration that reshaped how fish are discovered, documented, and cared for.

A Lifetime of Discovery

What made Heiko’s work extraordinary was not just the number of species he documented, but the depth of his approach. He did not simply collect fish; he observed habitats, recorded environmental conditions, and documented behaviours that later became essential references for aquarists and researchers alike.

Each discovery was tied to a place, a river system, and a moment in time—captured through meticulous notes and photographs that now serve as invaluable records of aquatic biodiversity.

Hemigrammus bleheri (Rummy-nose Tetra)

Region: Rio Negro tributaries, Brazil (1964)

Heiko Bleher did not discover the Rummy-nose Tetra in the strict scientific sense, as the species was first described in 1924 by German ichthyologist Ernst Ahl. However, it was Heiko who reintroduced this species to the aquarium world.

When Heiko found this species in the Rio Negro during his expeditions in Brazil and brought it to the aquarium hobby, it became one of the most beloved schooling tetras of all time. Its distinct red nose and striking black-and-white tail pattern quickly captured aquarists’ attention worldwide.

Hyphessobrycon amandae (Ember Tetra)

Region: Araguaia River Basin, Brazil (1987)

During an expedition to Mato Grosso in 1987, Heiko Bleher collected the vivid orange tetras later described as Hyphessobrycon amandae. These fish were formally described and named in 1998 by Jacques Géry and André Uj.

Glowing like tiny embers, these fish soon became aquarium favourites. Their calm nature and striking colour made them a lasting tribute to Heiko’s explorations and his mother’s enduring influence on the hobby.

Channa bleheri (Rainbow Snakehead)

Region: Brahmaputra Basin, India (1991)

During his Indian expeditions, Heiko encountered a vivid, smaller, and more peaceful snakehead than any seen before—later named Channa bleheri. Its discovery not only enriched aquarium diversity but also brought global attention to the unique aquatic habitats of Northeast India.

This species became emblematic of Heiko’s ability to uncover beauty in overlooked ecosystems.

The article continues with detailed accounts of additional iconic discoveries, each representing a chapter in Heiko Bleher’s lifetime of exploration across continents and river systems. To explore all ten iconic discoveries, complete with original photographs, regions, and context behind each find, purchase the August Issue of The Weekend Aquarist and read the full article in its entirety.