All fish / Characidae

Bonita Tetra

Moenkhausia bonita

Also known as bonita tetra, moenkhausia bonita, red eye bonita tetra, silver tip tetra lookalike, モエンカウシア・ボニータ

A small, slender silvery tetra with a dark spot at the base of the tail and a reddish or golden upper eye, and often light-tipped fins. It is kept for its lively schooling behaviour and suits planted community tanks with other small, calm fish.

Care at a glance

Care level

Easy

Temperament

Peaceful

Adult size

3.5 cm

Temperature

22 to 27 °C

pH

6 to 7.5

Smallest tank

60 litres

Keep as

Shoal of 8 or more

Diet

Omnivore: small flakes, micro pellets, frozen and live daphnia, brine shrimp and bloodworm

Swims

Middle of the tank

Lifespan

3 to 5 years

Water

Freshwater

Wild range

Upper Paraná and Paraguay basins and upper Amazon tributaries (Brazil, Paraguay, Bolivia, Peru, Argentina)

Breeding

An egg-scattering species that gives no parental care, laying adhesive eggs among fine plants. Spawning in a separate tank with soft, slightly acidic water and fine-leaved plants or mesh is quite achievable, but the adults should be removed afterwards as they eat the eggs.

Good to know

It is easily confused with other small Moenkhausia and Hemigrammus species, so check identification when buying. Keep it with peaceful tankmates small enough not to eat it.