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Freshwater   Fishes

Red eye tetra
(Moenkhausia sanctaefilomenae)

Red eye tetra

Alternative species (click on the thumbnail to see the card)

Names

Scientific name
Moenkhausia sanctaefilomenae
Moenkhausia filomenae
Tetragonopterus santaefilomenae
Poecilurichthys agassizi
Moenkhausia agassizi
Moenkhausia australis

Common name
Red eye tetra

Origin

what are its countries of origin?

Origin: Paraguay, Peru, Argentina, West Brazil
Biotope: Amazonian

Dimorphism

what are the physical differences between males and females?

The female has a more rounded belly

Group

Group

Characidae

Volume

what is the minimum volume for this species?

120 L / 26 imp gal / 32 US gal

Parameters

what are the water parameters for the maintenance of this fish?

T°: 22 à 26°C or 72 to 79°F
pH: 6 to 7.5
Hardness: 4 to 10°dGH

Difficulty

Difficulty

Easy

Size

what is the maximum size of this fish?

7 cm (3")

Longevity

what is the average Longevity of this fish?

5 years

Living zone

in which area of the aquarium does this fish live?

Middle and top

Individuals

sociability of the species

12

Food

How to feed the Red eye tetra?

Food

How to feed the Red eye tetra?

Omnivorous, the Red eye tetra accepts all forms of food.

Behavior

What kind of behavior does the Red eye tetra have?

Behavior

What kind of behavior does the Red eye tetra have?

Very active and robust. Each male defends its place by delimiting a small territory that it jealously defends by intimidating parades. Like all species of the genus, it is gregarious and must imperatively be maintained in a shoal of 12 individuals, idealy (in the nature, they can form shoals of up to fifty individuals). On the other hand, if they are in too small numbers, they are aggressive with other species, especially with large fin fish (Guppy, Fighter...). This behavior will be managed with the presence of many of its peers.

Cohabitation

Who can live with the Red eye tetra?

Cohabitation

Who can live with the Red eye tetra?

Community aquarium accepted, but it can sometimes be slightly aggressive with other smaller species. Other calmer fish could be disturbed by its intense activity, such as dwarf cichlids. Prefer more active species, like other Characidae of identical size to stay in an Amazonian biotope (in this case, be careful that the volume of your aquarium is sufficient). As for the Corydoras, they are to be avoided because they will be disturbed by the very active temperament of this Tetra.

For a community aquarium, you can consider cohabitation with bottom species like Loaches.

Breeding

How to breed the Red eye tetra?

Breeding

How to breed the Red eye tetra?

Breeding can be successful with a protocol similar to that of all tetras. You can try breeding with a couple or a group. Place in a spawning tank (30 L / 8 US Gal / 6.5 Imp Gal or more) equipped with a protective grid and thin-leaved plants, a group or a couple. Temperature 24°C or 75°F and pH at 6.5/7. Separate males and females 15 days before spawning and feed them abundantly with live prey. Spawning should occur the day after the parents are introduced to the spawning tank. Remove these as soon as you see eggs. It is a very prolific species. The incubation lasts 24 hours. The fry are growing slowly.

Fry food: infusoria, nauplies of artemia and cyclops.

Its aquarium

Which aquarium for the Red eye tetra?

Its aquarium

Which aquarium for the Red eye tetra?

The Red-eye tetra is part of the Amazonian biotope, but it appreciates the clear waters. It needs a lush vegetation but also enough space not to hinder its movements. Add bent branches or driftwood roots to complete your decor. Finally, this fish does not like a lighting too intense, so do not hesitate to use floating plants to sift the brightness.

Good To know

Find all additional information!

Good To know

Find all additional information!

Think of choosing rather robust species of plants because it will nibble gladly but slightly some tender young plants.

It is quite sensitive to variations in water parameters.

There is a variety «balloon» that must be avoided because it is actually a malformation maintained voluntarily and which is very painful for the fish.

Yours photos!

Image utilisateur

By Encyclo-Caro

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