An interesting tetra is the Redeye Tetra (Moenkhausia sanctaefilomenae), sometimes known as a “Lampeye Tetra”.
Found in the river basins in eastern and central South America, this tetra is a schooling fish that s bred a lot in Eastern Europe and Asia.
They can grow up to 2.8 inches and last up to five years, the Redeye Tetra is known for its silver body, having a black basal half around its tail, yellow right at the base and a half red circle on top of its eye.
These fish are inexpensive and great if you want to add a school of a fish not so small but it’s important to keep them in a group of six, otherwise you’ll see this fish become fin nippers.
Unlike my other schooling fish, these tend to stay lower than schooling fish who like the middle or higher area of a tank.
The primary difference from a male and female is that females have a more rounded abdomen than the males and lays eggs on the roots of floating plants and they can eat their eggs and fry.
Sometimes I see this school of fish hanging out with the Buenos Ares Tetra. But for the most part, this is a good beginner fish, especially if you want a school of something larger than a neon tetra.
