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Red Eye Tetra
Moenkhausia sanctaefilomenae
📍 South America
The Red Eye Tetra is a small, schooling fish native to South America, easily recognized by its distinctive red eye and black spot near the tail. These peaceful community fish are hardy and adaptable, making them excellent choices for beginner to intermediate aquarists. They thrive in groups and display active, engaging behavior throughout the day.
Care Guide
Diet
Red Eye Tetras are omnivorous and should be fed a varied diet of high-quality flake foods, micro pellets, and occasional frozen foods such as brine shrimp and bloodworms. Feed small amounts 2-3 times daily, providing only what they can consume in 2-3 minutes. Occasional vegetable matter like blanched spinach supports digestive health.
Behavior
Red Eye Tetras are active, schooling fish that display constant movement and social interaction within their group. They are peaceful community fish that rarely exhibit aggression, though they may nip at very long-finned fish. These tetras are most active during daylight hours and prefer well-planted tanks with open swimming space.
Breeding
Breeding Red Eye Tetras in captivity is moderately difficult and requires separate breeding tanks with fine-leaved plants or spawning mops. Condition breeding pairs with live foods, then transfer to the breeding tank with slightly acidic, soft water. Parents should be removed after spawning as they may eat eggs; fry are very small and require infusoria or liquid fry food initially.
Tank Mates
Similar size and peaceful temperament; excellent schooling companion
Compatible water parameters and peaceful behavior; similar schooling needs
Peaceful mid-level dweller; may occasionally chase but generally compatible
Similar size and peaceful schooling behavior; compatible water parameters
Peaceful algae eater that occupies bottom zone without competing
Common Diseases
Ich (Ichthyophthirius multifiliis)
White spots on body and fins, rapid breathing, rubbing against objects, lethargy
Increase water temperature to 28-30°C (82-86°F), perform daily 25% water changes, use aquarium salt or commercial ich treatment; maintain for 10-14 days
Fin Rot
Frayed or deteriorating fins, discoloration at fin edges, lethargy, loss of appetite
Perform 25-50% water changes, improve water quality, use antibacterial medication if severe; remove any sharp decorations that may cause injury
Neon Tetra Disease
Loss of coloration, curved spine, erratic swimming, lethargy, white stripe along lateral line
No cure available; isolate affected fish to prevent spread, maintain pristine water conditions, euthanize severely affected individuals
Columnaris (Flexibacter columnaris)
White or grayish film on body, frayed fins, mouth rot, rapid breathing, loss of appetite
Perform daily 50% water changes, use antibacterial medication, increase aeration, maintain temperature at 24-26°C (75-79°F); treat for 7-10 days
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Quick Facts
- diet
- omnivore - small flakes, micro pellets, and occasional frozen foods
- lifespan
- 5-8 years
- max size
- 5.5 cm (2.2 in)
- tank size
- 20 gallons minimum
- temperament
- peaceful
Water it likes
- ph
- 5.5-7.5
- ammonia
- 0 ppm
- nitrate
- <20 ppm
- hardness
- 2-15 dGH
- temperature
- 72–82°F (22–28°C)