The Red Eye Tetra or Red Eyed Tetra originates from Brazil and Paraguay.  It is a good beginner's fish.  It has a bright red spot over the eye and a broad vertical black band at the base of the tail.  The body is silver or golden.  It is also known as the Lamp Eye Tetra.  The scientific names Moenkhausia sanctaefilomenae and Moenkhausia oligolepis are both used to describe Red Eye Tetras.

Tetras prefer dim lighting, which can be achieved through plant cover.  Opens spaces and hiding places are both desired.  Red Eye Tetras are a typical schooling tetra and should be kept in groups of at least 6.  They tend to nip at fins and at plants.  They are definitely not good companions for smaller tetras and guppies.  Red Eyes eat flake foods, freeze dried bloodworms and brine shrimp.

The female is broader, especially when laden with eggs.  When kept in groups, they will pair up.  Soft, slightly acidic water is best for breeding and lighting should be greatly dimmed.  Pairs should be separated for more than a week before breeding and fed a variety of foods.  Tetras have adhesive eggs, so fine leaved plants should be used to catch the eggs.  The parents should be removed after spawning.  The fry will hatch within 2 days and will survive several days on their yolk sac.  The fry should be fed brine shrimp and then finely ground flake foods.

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