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Redtail Goodeid
Xenotoca eiseni
📍 Central America
The Redtail Goodeid is a small, peaceful livebearer native to Mexico with distinctive red coloration on the tail and fins. These hardy fish are excellent for community tanks and are known for their active, social behavior. They are relatively easy to care for and make good choices for beginner to intermediate aquarists.
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Care Guide
Diet
Redtail Goodeid are omnivorous and should be fed a varied diet including high-quality micro pellets, small flake foods, and occasional live or frozen foods such as daphnia and brine shrimp. Feed small amounts 2-3 times daily, only what they can consume in a few minutes. They will also graze on algae and plant matter in the tank.
Behavior
These fish are active schoolers that should be kept in groups of at least 6 individuals for optimal behavior and reduced stress. They are peaceful community fish that spend most of their time in the middle water column, though they will explore all levels. Males may display mild territorial behavior during breeding season but rarely cause harm.
Breeding
Redtail Goodeid are livebearers that breed readily in well-maintained tanks without special conditioning. Females give birth to fully-formed fry every 4-6 weeks. Provide dense vegetation or breeding box to protect fry from predation. Fry are relatively large and can eat crushed flake food immediately.
Tank Mates
Similar size and peaceful temperament, both prefer slightly cooler water
Small, peaceful schooler that shares similar water parameters
Bottom dweller that won't compete for space, peaceful community fish
Larger shrimp less likely to be eaten, helps with algae control
Small peaceful algae eater compatible with small community setups
May be preyed upon by larger Goodeid individuals, use with caution
Common Diseases
Ich (Ichthyophthirius multifiliis)
White spots on body and fins, rapid breathing, flashing against objects, lethargy
Increase temperature gradually to 28-30°C (82-86°F), use aquarium salt at 1 teaspoon per gallon, perform daily 25% water changes, treat with ich medication if symptoms persist
Fin Rot
Frayed or deteriorating fins, white or black edges on fins, fin loss
Improve water quality with frequent water changes, remove any sharp decorations, treat with antibacterial medication, ensure adequate nutrition
Bacterial Infection
Redness on body or fins, open sores, cloudy eyes, lethargy, loss of appetite
Perform 50% water change immediately, treat with broad-spectrum antibiotic medication, maintain excellent water quality, isolate severely affected fish
Parasitic Infection
Excessive scratching, visible parasites on body, weight loss, clamped fins, rapid breathing
Treat with anti-parasitic medication, increase aeration, perform frequent water changes, quarantine affected fish if possible
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Quick Facts
- diet
- omnivore - small insects, plant matter, quality flake and micro pellet foods
- lifespan
- 3-5 years
- max size
- 6.5 cm (2.5 in)
- tank size
- 20 gallons minimum
- temperament
- peaceful
Water it likes
- ph
- 7.0-8.0
- ammonia
- 0 ppm
- nitrate
- <20 ppm
- hardness
- 8-18 dGH
- temperature
- 64–75°F (18–24°C)