Bandtail Tetra Care Guide
Moenkhausia dichroura is a hardy silvery South American tetra of the Amazon, Paraguay and Orinoco basins.
Overview
Moenkhausia dichroura, known as the bandtail tetra, is a small South American characin. It is a silvery, active schooling fish marked by dark spots at the base of the tail. FishBase records a maximum size around 10 cm SL.
Taxonomy
- Family: Characidae
- Genus: Moenkhausia
- Scientific name: Moenkhausia dichroura
Habitat
According to FishBase, the species is native to South America, occurring in the Amazon, Paraguay and Orinoco river basins. It is a freshwater, benthopelagic fish of tropical waters, reported around 22-26 °C in the wild.
Tank requirements
- Minimum tank volume: 100 L
- Temperature: 22-28 °C (72-82 °F)
- pH: 6.0-7.5
- GH: 4-15 °dGH
- School size: 6 or more individuals
- Lifespan: 4-6 years
Diet
The species is omnivorous, with FishBase assigning a trophic level near 3.5. A varied diet of small prepared, frozen and live foods suits it in the aquarium.
Compatibility
Bandtail tetra is a peaceful mid-water schooling fish best kept in groups of six or more. It suits community tanks with calm tankmates such as corydoras and plecos, and should not be combined with very small species it might outcompete.