All fish / Arnoldichthyidae

African Red-eyed Tetra

Arnoldichthys spilopterus

Also known as red eye tetra, african red eye tetra, arnold's tetra, arnolds characin, arnold's red-eyed characin, red-eyed characin, nigerian red eye tetra, アフリカン・レッドアイ・カラシン, 红眼非洲脂鲤, 非洲红目

A sleek, active characin with large scales that shimmer gold, blue and green, a bright red upper eye and a black and yellow banded dorsal fin. It is kept for its lively shoaling behaviour and the striking sheen it shows in a well-lit, spacious tank.

Care at a glance

Care level

Easy

Temperament

Peaceful

Adult size

8 cm

Temperature

23 to 28 °C

pH

6 to 7.5

Smallest tank

200 litres

Keep as

Shoal of 6 or more

Diet

Omnivore: quality flakes and pellets, plus frozen or live bloodworm, brine shrimp and daphnia

Swims

Middle of the tank

Lifespan

5 to 10 years

Water

Freshwater

Wild range

Nigeria: lower Niger basin and coastal rivers of the Niger Delta region

Breeding

An egg scatterer that spawns in open water, producing large numbers of eggs with no parental care. Captive breeding is uncommon but has been achieved in soft, slightly acidic water, with parents removed afterwards to stop them eating the eggs.

Good to know

A fast, strong swimmer that needs a long tank with open swimming space and a tight lid, as it can jump. It may eat very small fish or fry, so keep it with similar-sized companions.