Redeye Tetra

About

The redeye tetra (Moenkhausia oligolepis) is a slender, translucent characin from the river systems of Venezuela, the Guianas, and the Amazon basin, where it favors the calmer counter-current zones of smaller creeks and streams. Its lightly scaled, glassy body, which earns it the alternate name glass tetra, is set off by a vivid red iris, though it's worth noting this fish is frequently confused with the more commonly kept Moenkhausia sanctaefilomenae. The two look quite similar, and true M. oligolepis is actually the rarer find in the hobby. In terms of temperament, this is a genuinely peaceful species that does best with similarly sized, non-aggressive tankmates. Good company includes other South American tetras, pencilfish, Corydoras, dwarf cichlids, and small loricariids. Essentially the classic community mix. Like most schooling tetras, it should always be kept in groups of at least six, and preferably ten or more, both for its own wellbeing and because a decent-sized school genuinely looks far more natural and active than a few lone individuals. Breeding is reportedly straightforward, making it a rewarding project for keepers interested in spawning their own fish. The taxonomic status of the whole Moenkhausia genus is currently unresolved, so don't be surprised if the name shifts down the line.