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.
Compiled by Aquairi from published sources · Published · Updated
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.
Glass Tetra (Moenkhausia oligolepis) Breeding Guide
Overview
Moenkhausia oligolepis, the glass or redeye tetra, ranges throughout much of northern South America, including Venezuela, Guyana, Suriname, French Guiana, Peru and Brazil. FishBase describes the species as oviparous, very prolific and very easy to breed in the aquarium. It is an egg-scatterer that provides no parental care.
Sexing
Adult females tend to be fuller-bodied than males, the difference being most obvious when females are carrying eggs.
Conditioning
Two approaches are used. For group spawning, condition about half a dozen of each sex together on live foods. For pair spawning, condition the sexes separately, then move the heaviest female and best-coloured male to the breeding tank in the evening; spawning usually follows the next morning.
Breeding Setup
- Spawning tank around 18 x 10 x 10 inches, kept very dimly lit.
- Soft, acidic water: pH 6.0-7.0 and hardness around 1-10 gH.
- Temperature approximately 22-24 C (72-76 F).
- Fine-leaved plants such as java moss or spawning mops, or a mesh base allowing eggs to fall through.
- A gently bubbling air-powered sponge filter.
Spawning Behavior & Trigger
Eggs are scattered among plants or fall through protective mesh. Soft acidic water and subdued lighting are the main triggers. As a very prolific species the female can produce many eggs, but the adults will eat them and should be removed immediately once spawning is complete.
Egg & Fry Care
Eggs hatch in 24-36 hours, and the fry become free-swimming about 3-4 days later. Start the free-swimming fry on infusoria-type foods, progressing to microworm or brine shrimp nauplii as they grow.