(23) red-eye tetra

The red-eye tetra (Moenkhausia sanctaefilomenae) is a popular and hardy freshwater fish known for its striking silver body and the distinct red ring around its eye. They are a relatively easy-to-care-for and peaceful schooling species, making them a great choice for beginner to intermediate aquarists.

• Distinctive features: The red-eye tetra has a metallic silver body with a bright red ring around its eye. Its tail fin has a prominent white-edged black base.
• Size: They can grow to about 2.75 to 3 inches (7–7.5 cm) in length.
• Schooling: This species is a schooling fish and should be kept in a group of at least six, though more is better. A larger school helps keep them peaceful and reduces the likelihood of fin-nipping behavior.
• Activity: They are active swimmers that typically occupy the middle region of the tank.
• Temperament: While generally peaceful, they can be boisterous and may occasionally nip the fins of slower-moving, long-finned fish, especially if they are not in a large enough school. 

• Tank size: A minimum tank size of 20 gallons is recommended, with a 30-gallon or larger tank being ideal to provide ample swimming space for a school.
• Water parameters:
  • Temperature: Prefers temperatures between 72–82°F (22–28°C).
  • pH: Tolerates a wide range of pH levels, from 5.5 to 8.5.
  • Hardness: Accepts soft to moderately hard water.
• Aquascaping: A planted tank with dark substrate helps to bring out their colors and makes them feel more secure. Providing live plants, driftwood, and rocks creates hiding spaces and recreates their natural habitat.
• Filtration: A good filter with a mild current is suitable. They do not prefer strong, fast-moving currents. 

• Omnivorous: Red-eye tetras are omnivores and will accept a wide variety of foods.
• Feeding: A healthy diet includes high-quality flake food, small granules, and live or frozen foods such as brine shrimp, bloodworms, and daphnia.
• Plant-based foods: Offering blanched vegetables, like spinach, can help enhance their color and health. 

• Compatible fish: Suitable tank mates include other similarly sized, active species like various barbs, danios, rainbowfish, and larger rasboras. Peaceful bottom-dwellers like corydoras catfish also make good companions.
• Incompatible fish: Avoid keeping them with slow-moving, long-finned species such as angelfish, bettas, and guppies, as the tetras may nip their fins. 

• Process: Red-eye tetras are egg-scatterers and will lay eggs among fine-leaved plants or spawning mops.
• Breeding tank: For successful breeding, a separate breeding tank with very soft, slightly acidic water and dense vegetation or a spawning mop is recommended.
• Parental care: Parents should be removed from the breeding tank immediately after spawning, as they will eat the eggs and fry.