Freshwater ich
Watch for: Small white spots, flashing against objects, clamped fins or faster breathing.
First response: Confirm the signs, test water and use a treatment known to be safe for every species in the system.
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Moenkhausia dichroura
Bandtail Tetra
freshwater
Bioload 0.3
Beginner care
Acestrorhamphidae
Your complete care profile
Bandtail Tetra (Moenkhausia dichroura) is a freshwater fish associated with South America, with a recorded adult length of up to 10 cm. This source-backed catalogue profile brings its essential aquarium planning information together on one page.
Temperature
22–26°C
pH range
6.5–7.5
Minimum tank
80 litres
Typical lifespan
6 years
Diet
Omnivore
Origin
South America
Adult size
Up to 10 cm
Care level
Beginner
Care level recorded in the source-backed catalogue profile.
Aquarium context
freshwater system
Present in the aquarium trade
Planning to add Bandtail Tetra?
Check it against your aquarium before purchase, then use the complete preparation checklist below.
Check compatibilitySpecies identity
Know the fish
Common name
Bandtail Tetra
Scientific name
Moenkhausia dichroura
Family
Acestrorhamphidae
Family group
American tetras
Water type
freshwater
Native range
South America
Social planning
Individual assessment
Conservation
Least concern (LC)
Aquarium setup
Build the right system
A fully cycled freshwater aquarium using conditioned water, stable temperature and no detectable ammonia or nitrite.
Use 80 litres as the minimum planning baseline before allowing extra space for a group, tank mates, decor and swimming behaviour.
Hold temperature at 22–26°C and pH at 6.5–7.5; stability matters more than chasing a single number.
Design the aquarium around the recorded adult length of 10 cm, not the juvenile size seen at purchase.
Provide retreat areas and visual breaks while preserving enough unobstructed space for normal movement and feeding.
Filtration & waste
Lower individual waste load (0.3 index), but group size and total stocking still determine the filter capacity required.
Feeding
Omnivore diet
Use a varied omnivore staple with complementary plant and animal ingredients. Feed controlled portions and adjust to body condition and waste production.
Observe
Confirm every fish reaches food and swallows it.
Control
Stop before leftovers can decay in the aquarium.
Review
Track body condition, waste and feeding response over time.
Behaviour & tank mates
Community planning
Treat temperament as an individual assessment. Observe feeding and territorial behaviour, and keep a safe separation plan available.
No simple community match is approved in this profile. Plan species-only housing or obtain a specialist compatibility assessment before adding tank mates.
No pre-approved tank mate is listed. That is a safety signal, not a claim that every pairing will fail.
Health watch
Recognise warning signs early
These are risks to monitor, not diagnoses. Test the aquarium first and seek an aquatic vet or experienced specialist for severe, fast-moving or uncertain symptoms.
Environmental stress
Watch for: Hiding, faded colour, clamped fins, glass surfing, rapid breathing or appetite loss.
First response: Test water, review temperature and tank mates, reduce disturbance and correct problems gradually.
Before bringing one home
Five-point readiness check
The established aquarium is at least 80 litres and matches the required freshwater system.
Temperature and pH overlap the full 22–26°C and 6.5–7.5 ranges.
A suitable omnivore food is available and the seller can demonstrate that the fish is feeding.
Ammonia and nitrite test at zero, acclimation is planned and a quarantine or observation option is ready.
Every proposed tank mate has been screened for adult size, behaviour, feeding competition and water compatibility.
Data & source notes
Transparent, in-app data
IUCN LC
Catalogue source
FishBase · release 26.07
Species record
FishBase SpecCode 12390
Aquarium context
Present in the aquarium trade
Temperature basis
FishBase stock temperature range
pH basis
FishSnap freshwater planning baseline
Tank basis
FishSnap conservative planning baseline derived from adult size, water type, social ecology and family
Lifespan basis
FishSnap size/family planning estimate
Photo credit
Clinton & Charles Robertson · CC BY 2.0
FishBase remains an editorial reference, but the useful species and care information is interpreted here so you do not have to leave FishSnap. Conservative planning baselines are labelled as guidance, not guarantees.