All fish / Characidae

Red-tailed Moenkhausia

Moenkhausia lepidura

Also known as redtail tetra, red-tail moenkhausia, lepidura tetra, moenkhausia lepidura tetra

A slim silvery tetra with a reflective scale sheen, a dark mark on the tail base and reddish upper tail lobe. It is an active, hardy schooling fish that suits planted South American community tanks.

Care at a glance

Care level

Easy

Temperament

Peaceful

Adult size

6 cm

Temperature

23 to 28 °C

pH

5.5 to 7.5

Smallest tank

100 litres

Keep as

Shoal of 8 or more

Diet

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

Swims

Middle of the tank

Lifespan

3 to 5 years

Water

Freshwater

Wild range

Amazon and Orinoco basins and Guianas (Brazil, Venezuela, Guyana, Suriname, Colombia, Peru)

Breeding

An egg scatterer that spawns among fine plants or mops in soft, slightly acidic water. Adults eat the eggs, so remove them after spawning; it is rarely bred in home aquariums.

Good to know

Some fish sold under this name may be related Moenkhausia species, as the group is taxonomically muddled. May nip long-finned tankmates if kept in too small a group.