Bandtail tetra

Moenkhausia dichroura

A silver body and a dark patch on each forked tail lobe

Look for paired tail patches with pale distal tips rather than a red head. A fine side line accompanies the silver-blue sheen.

Sold at 3–3.5 cm, but reaches up to 10 cm SL.

Appearance and identification

Intermedia has similar tail markings. Pigment at the front of the anal-fin base and ray counts help separate them; tail pattern alone is not enough.

Keep in a group; it may not school tightly all the time.

Plan space for the adult, not the juvenile sold.

In the wild it eats insects, microcrustaceans and plant material, and terrestrial insects such as ants. Offer varied small foods.

Consider eventual size and actual interactions with companions.

Wild fish eat plant material.

Sources