All fish / Characidae

Red Eye Tetra

Moenkhausia sanctaefilomenae

Also known as redeye tetra, red-eye tetra, yellow banded moenkhausia, lamp eye tetra, golden red eye tetra, sanctae filomenae tetra, ปลาเตตร้าตาแดง, tetra mata merah, レッドアイ・テトラ, red eye tetra, 红眼燕子, 红眼金旗

A sturdy silvery tetra with a bright red upper eye, a gold-edged black band at the base of the tail and large shiny scales. It is kept because it is hardy, active and fits well in a planted community tank.

Care at a glance

Care level

Easy

Temperament

Peaceful

Adult size

6 cm

Temperature

22 to 28 °C

pH

5.5 to 8

Smallest tank

80 litres

Keep as

Shoal of 6 or more

Diet

Omnivore: flakes, small pellets, frozen bloodworm and brine shrimp, some plant matter

Swims

Middle of the tank

Lifespan

5 to 8 years

Water

Freshwater

Wild range

Paraguay, Paraná and upper Amazon basins in Brazil, Bolivia, Peru and Paraguay

Breeding

It scatters eggs among fine-leaved plants and gives no parental care, so adults should be removed after spawning. Breeding is fairly easy in soft, slightly acidic water, and the fry take infusoria followed by newly hatched brine shrimp.

Good to know

Kept in too small a group it can nip the fins of slow, long-finned fish such as bettas and angelfish. It may also eat soft-leaved plants.