Red-eyed Moe | Moenkhausia sanctaefilomenae

Characins / Characinae / Red-eyed Moe

Profile: Red-eyed Tetra, Yellow-banded Moenkhausia, Red-eyed Moe
Moenkhausia sanctaefilomenae
SYN: Moenkhausia agassizi, M. australis, M. filomenae, Tetragonopterus sanctaefilomenae
PD: A deep-bodied characin with a silver color. The back can have a green iridescence. The scales are large and easily seen. The upper half of the iris is orange to red. The fins are transparent. The front part, near the base of the tail, is a black vertical band. Next to this marking, is a white to yellow band.
SIZE: To 2.8" (7 cm)
SS: Glassy Tetra ( M. oligolepis)
HAB: Found in brooks, swamps, and marshes in the Paraguay and Paranaiba Rivers.
S: middle
TANK: 20" (50 cm) or 10 gallons (38 l). An open swimming area is essential in the tank set-up for this fish. The tank should also be well-planted with a cover of floating plants to subdue the lighting. To bring out the stunning orange crescent on the upper part of the iris, the tank should be arranged in dark colors.
WATER: pH 5.5-8.5 (6.8), 2-30 dH (8), 72-82°F (22-28°C)
SB: An active, schooling fish that is recommended for a community tank. Keep this fish in groups.
SC: Tetras, Corydoras, Apistogramma, Loricarids, Discus, Colisa.
FOOD: Flake; live; insect larvae, flying insects, Brine Shrimp, Tubifex; vegetable flakes. Vegetable food is important to fish of this genus.
SEX: The males is slimmer.
B: Use a breeding tank with peat filtration and a water hardness of 1-4 dH. This fish spawns in schools or in pairs. Up to 2000 eggs are laid. Remove the parents as soon as they are laid. The fry hatch 1-2 days and in another 1-3 days they are free swimming. They can be fed crushed flake and small live foods.
BP: 5. This Moenkhausia is fairly easy to breed.
R: Often bred in Southeast Asia.
DC: 2. A hardy fish that is readily available and will not harm plants.