Red-eye tetra

Bario sanctaefilomenae

A red upper iris and a broad black band at the tail base

A robust silver fish with fine dark scale edges and a pale zone before the black tail-base band. Females are often rounder when in breeding condition.

Adult length: Up to 7 cm (standard length, without the tail fin)
Water temperature: 22–26 °C
pH: 6–8
Hardness: 3–20 dGH

Native range: Native to South American drainages including the São Francisco, upper Paraná, Paraguay and Uruguay.

Natural habitat: Clear-water rivers with dense submerged vegetation and extensive floating plant mats.

An active fish that may nip fins and unsettle timid companions. It may also eat plants.

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Appearance and identification

The head-and-tail-light tetra has a more concentrated tail-base spot with a golden reflection. Bario oligolepis also has a red eye, reticulated scales and a dark tail band, so colour alone, including the pale tail-base area, does not identify it.