Glass Tetra (Moenkhausia oligolepis) Care Guide
Moenkhausia oligolepis is a peaceful South American tetra known for its scale outlines and red eye, native to Venezuela, the Guianas and the Amazon basin.
Overview
Moenkhausia oligolepis is a freshwater characin from northern South America. It was first described by Günther in 1864 under the name Tetragonopterus oligolepis. The species is also known as the redeye tetra. Adults show prominent scale outlines that create a net-like pattern, with a red marking in the iris.
Taxonomy
- Family: Characidae
- Genus: Moenkhausia
- Scientific name: Moenkhausia oligolepis
- Original name: Tetragonopterus oligolepis (Günther, 1864)
Habitat
FishBase records the species from Venezuela, the Guianas and the Amazon River basin. Seriously Fish reports it from Venezuela, Guyana, Suriname, French Guiana, Peru and Brazil, occurring in slow-moving rivers, tributaries and floodplain lakes. FishBase notes it prefers the counter-current zones of small creeks.
Tank requirements
- Minimum tank volume: 150 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. In aquaria it accepts a varied diet; Seriously Fish recommends regular meals of small live and frozen foods such as bloodworm, Daphnia and brine shrimp alongside dried flakes and granules.
Compatibility
Seriously Fish describes Moenkhausia oligolepis as a peaceful shoaling species that should be kept in groups of at least six. It mixes well with other South American and community fish but may struggle to compete with much larger or aggressive tankmates.
Breeding
The species is an egg-scattering, oviparous spawner. FishBase notes that reproduction in the aquarium is easy. According to Seriously Fish, eggs hatch in 24-36 hours and fry become free-swimming three to four days later. Adult females tend to be fuller-bodied than males.
Conservation status
IUCN Red List: Least Concern (assessed 4 March 2021), as reported by FishBase.