Costa's Tetra Care Guide
Moenkhausia costae is a small schooling characin from the Sao Francisco and Itapicuru rivers of Brazil, reaching about 7 cm.
Overview
Moenkhausia costae (Steindachner, 1907) is a small freshwater tetra native to South America. According to FishBase, it occurs in the Sao Francisco and Itapicuru river systems of Brazil. It reaches a maximum standard length of about 7 cm.
Taxonomy
- Family: Characidae
- Genus: Moenkhausia
- Scientific name: Moenkhausia costae
- Described by Steindachner in 1907
Habitat
The species inhabits densely vegetated, shallow waters with abundant underwater plants, over a bottom of sand or fine gravel, in a tropical climate. It is a benthopelagic fish that lives in clear to slightly turbid river channels and floodplains. Moenkhausia is a genus of medium-sized tetras in the family Characidae found across tropical and subtropical South America.
Tank requirements
- Minimum tank volume: 100 L
- Temperature: 22-27 °C (72-81 °F)
- pH: 6.0-7.5
- GH: 2-14 °dGH
- School size: 6 or more individuals
- Lifespan: 4-6 years
Diet
Moenkhausia costae is omnivorous. In the wild it favours small invertebrates and plant matter. In the aquarium it accepts high-quality dry foods supplemented with live or frozen items such as brine shrimp and bloodworms.
Compatibility
This is a peaceful, social, mid-water schooling fish. Because it is an active swimmer it can stress slower or more timid species, so it is best kept with other robust peaceful characins of similar size. It should be maintained in groups of at least six.
Breeding
The species is an egg-scatterer. Spawning typically occurs in the morning over plants, with several hundred eggs released. Eggs hatch within about 24-36 hours and fry become free-swimming after three to four days. No parental care is provided.
Conservation status
IUCN Red List: Least Concern (assessed 7 November 2018, per FishBase).