Red-eyed Moenkhausia - Moenkhausia sanctaefilomenae

The relatively undemanding Red-eyed Moenkhausia (Moenkhausia sanctaefilomenae) from Argentina and Paraguay, South America, lives up to its somewhat unwieldy name: the eyes of this beautiful True Tetra are colored fiery red in the upper half of the iris. The body of this lively aquarium fish is silvery, the caudal fin is adorned with a black transverse band, and the narrowest part at the base of the fins has a white band. Females are noticeably rounder than males.

Since Moenkhausia sanctaefilomenae is a very lively aquarium fish and grows up to 7 cm long, it needs corresponding swimming space in a large aquarium, which may nevertheless have a dense border planting and a floating plant cover. Glaring light does not like the Roach Moenkhausia.

As an actively interacting group fish, Red-eyed Moenkhausia should live in the company of at least 10 conspecifics. If they find good conditions, Roach Moenkhausia can live up to 4 years in the aquarium.

A school of the peaceful Red-eyed Moenkhausia fits well in a community aquarium with other fish and with shrimp that grow large, such as Amano shr imp or fan shrimp. Due to the size of the fish, the risk of small and growing shrimp ending up as live food is higher than with other, smaller tetra species, but in aquariums with plenty of hiding places, keeping them together with robust species that reproduce very well, such as Neocaridina or Sulawesi domestic shrimp, should still be possible. Keeping them with dwarf crayfish can also work, as the Roach Moenkhausia is more surface-oriented and prefers the upper and middle layers of water.

Moenkhausia sanctaefilomenae does not like excessively strong light, a floating plant cover in the aquarium for shading is highly welcome to the fish. Red-eyed Moenkhausia tolerate water temperatures of 20-28 °C (23-25 °C would be optimal) and a wide range of water values from soft to hard. However, since the fish come from nutrient-poor blackwater streams in nature, they only develop their full coloration in soft water with a high content of humic substances .

In nature the Red-eyed Moenkhausia as a typical omnivore likes to eat approach food like insects and insect larvae from the water surface and fine aquatic plants. In the aquarium it also likes to take Live food like Drosophila from the water surface and likes to nibble on Duckweed. Also from soft-leaved water plants sometimes the one or other leaflet can be missing. Frozen food is taken just as gladly as flake food for omnivorous aquarium fish.

The breeding of the roach Moenkhausia is not very difficult. However, the fish need acidic and soft water. Even in a large aquarium, in the absence of predators, breeding is then possible, even if not so many young fish will come up. For a high yield, however, the fish should be started separately in pairs. The spawning tank must hold at least 40 l. The female will lay her spawn as a free spawner in dense plant pads such as moss. After spawning, the female and male are returned to the large tank so that they cannot eat the eggs. Once the fry have hatched, they are fed infusoria and artemia euplii.

Our recommendation: The NatureHolic Main Feed is a professional staple feed for all aquarium fish. Main feed we supply in the form of soft granules, which thanks to its grain size of half a millimeter can be easily absorbed by small to medium-sized fish. The soft consistency resembles the texture of insect larvae in nature and protects the fish mouth from micro-injuries.

Our plant recommendation: For planting, use NatureHolic InVitros. These are free of snails, planarians and other unwanted co-inhabitants. Also free of algae spores, bacteria and fungi.

Expert Tip: We recommend for fish keeping the NatureHolic 3 Phase Liquid. The care set offers the best all-round protection for your animals. It ensures optimal conditions for successful breeding and keeping.