Bonita Tetra - Moenkhausia bonita
Bonita Tetra (Moenkhausia bonita)
The Bonita Tetra is an attractive South American tetra with a bright silver body, dark mid-lateral stripe and distinctive black marking through the tail area. Also known as the Flagtail Tetra or Blackbird Tetra, this species naturally occurs in slow-moving marginal waters where it swims close to the surface in groups. In the aquarium it is best kept as an active shoaling fish in a mature planted setup with calm tank mates, open swimming space and stable water quality.
Common Name:
Bonita Tetra. Also commonly referred to as the Flagtail Tetra or Blackbird Tetra.
Scientific Name (Latin):
Moenkhausia bonita
Maximum Size:
Up to around 8.5 cm standard length, although many aquarium specimens may remain slightly smaller.
Water Type:
Freshwater
Origin / Natural Habitat:
Native to South America. The species was originally described from the Rio Baía Bonita, a tributary of the upper Rio Miranda in the Rio Paraguay basin, Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil. It has also been recorded from wider Paraguay / Paraná-Paraguay drainage habitats. In nature it is associated with shallow, slow-moving marginal backwaters, often close to the surface and near riparian forest.
Water Parameters:
Temperature: 23–27°C
pH Range: 6.0–7.5
Hardness: soft to moderately hard water
Temperament:
Generally peaceful, but active. It is best kept with other peaceful, similarly sized fish that will not be intimidated by its movement. Avoid tiny, very shy or long-finned tank mates if the group is understocked or the aquarium is cramped.
Diet:
Omnivorous with a strong insect-feeding tendency in nature. It should be offered a varied diet including quality flake, micro pellets, small granules, frozen brineshrimp, daphnia, cyclops, bloodworm and occasional live foods. Surface-feeding behaviour is natural, so floating or slow-sinking foods are useful.
Minimum Tank Size:
A practical recommendation is at least 120 litres for a proper group, with a longer aquarium preferred to provide open swimming space.
Behaviour & Activity:
This is an active mid-to-upper level shoaling tetra that should be kept in a group of at least 6, ideally 8–10 or more. In nature it has been observed swimming close to the surface in schools, so it benefits from open swimming areas, gentle surface movement, planted edges and floating cover. A secure lid is recommended, as surface-oriented tetras may jump when startled.
Aquarium Category:
Community Fish
This species is peaceful enough for a well-planned community aquarium, especially with other medium-sized tetras, peaceful barbs, rainbowfish, Corydoras, bristlenose plecos, dwarf cichlids and other non-aggressive fish. Avoid large predators, aggressive cichlids, very small nano fish and delicate slow-moving species that may be stressed by a lively tetra shoal.
Special Requirements or Care Notes:
Best kept in a mature aquarium with clean, stable water, good filtration and regular maintenance. A planted layout with darker substrate, wood, shaded areas and open swimming space will suit this species well. Because detailed aquarium-specific care information is limited compared with more common tetras, it is safest to treat it as an active, mid-sized shoaling tetra and avoid cramped or unstable setups.
Suitable for:
Intermediate fishkeepers
Availability:
Rare / occasional in trade
All images are a visual representation of the fish you will receive, made to be as accurate as possible. Please note that Mother Nature is a wonderful thing, and variation in patterns and colours will occur — that is part of the unique beauty of these animals.
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Bonita Tetra - Moenkhausia bonita
Bonita Tetra - Moenkhausia bonita
Bonita Tetra (Moenkhausia bonita)
The Bonita Tetra is an attractive South American tetra with a bright silver body, dark mid-lateral stripe and distinctive black marking through the tail area. Also known as the Flagtail Tetra or Blackbird Tetra, this species naturally occurs in slow-moving marginal waters where it swims close to the surface in groups. In the aquarium it is best kept as an active shoaling fish in a mature planted setup with calm tank mates, open swimming space and stable water quality.
Common Name:
Bonita Tetra. Also commonly referred to as the Flagtail Tetra or Blackbird Tetra.
Scientific Name (Latin):
Moenkhausia bonita
Maximum Size:
Up to around 8.5 cm standard length, although many aquarium specimens may remain slightly smaller.
Water Type:
Freshwater
Origin / Natural Habitat:
Native to South America. The species was originally described from the Rio Baía Bonita, a tributary of the upper Rio Miranda in the Rio Paraguay basin, Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil. It has also been recorded from wider Paraguay / Paraná-Paraguay drainage habitats. In nature it is associated with shallow, slow-moving marginal backwaters, often close to the surface and near riparian forest.
Water Parameters:
Temperature: 23–27°C
pH Range: 6.0–7.5
Hardness: soft to moderately hard water
Temperament:
Generally peaceful, but active. It is best kept with other peaceful, similarly sized fish that will not be intimidated by its movement. Avoid tiny, very shy or long-finned tank mates if the group is understocked or the aquarium is cramped.
Diet:
Omnivorous with a strong insect-feeding tendency in nature. It should be offered a varied diet including quality flake, micro pellets, small granules, frozen brineshrimp, daphnia, cyclops, bloodworm and occasional live foods. Surface-feeding behaviour is natural, so floating or slow-sinking foods are useful.
Minimum Tank Size:
A practical recommendation is at least 120 litres for a proper group, with a longer aquarium preferred to provide open swimming space.
Behaviour & Activity:
This is an active mid-to-upper level shoaling tetra that should be kept in a group of at least 6, ideally 8–10 or more. In nature it has been observed swimming close to the surface in schools, so it benefits from open swimming areas, gentle surface movement, planted edges and floating cover. A secure lid is recommended, as surface-oriented tetras may jump when startled.
Aquarium Category:
Community Fish
This species is peaceful enough for a well-planned community aquarium, especially with other medium-sized tetras, peaceful barbs, rainbowfish, Corydoras, bristlenose plecos, dwarf cichlids and other non-aggressive fish. Avoid large predators, aggressive cichlids, very small nano fish and delicate slow-moving species that may be stressed by a lively tetra shoal.
Special Requirements or Care Notes:
Best kept in a mature aquarium with clean, stable water, good filtration and regular maintenance. A planted layout with darker substrate, wood, shaded areas and open swimming space will suit this species well. Because detailed aquarium-specific care information is limited compared with more common tetras, it is safest to treat it as an active, mid-sized shoaling tetra and avoid cramped or unstable setups.
Suitable for:
Intermediate fishkeepers
Availability:
Rare / occasional in trade
All images are a visual representation of the fish you will receive, made to be as accurate as possible. Please note that Mother Nature is a wonderful thing, and variation in patterns and colours will occur — that is part of the unique beauty of these animals.
Original: $13.49
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$4.72Product Information
Product Information
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Description
Bonita Tetra (Moenkhausia bonita)
The Bonita Tetra is an attractive South American tetra with a bright silver body, dark mid-lateral stripe and distinctive black marking through the tail area. Also known as the Flagtail Tetra or Blackbird Tetra, this species naturally occurs in slow-moving marginal waters where it swims close to the surface in groups. In the aquarium it is best kept as an active shoaling fish in a mature planted setup with calm tank mates, open swimming space and stable water quality.
Common Name:
Bonita Tetra. Also commonly referred to as the Flagtail Tetra or Blackbird Tetra.
Scientific Name (Latin):
Moenkhausia bonita
Maximum Size:
Up to around 8.5 cm standard length, although many aquarium specimens may remain slightly smaller.
Water Type:
Freshwater
Origin / Natural Habitat:
Native to South America. The species was originally described from the Rio Baía Bonita, a tributary of the upper Rio Miranda in the Rio Paraguay basin, Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil. It has also been recorded from wider Paraguay / Paraná-Paraguay drainage habitats. In nature it is associated with shallow, slow-moving marginal backwaters, often close to the surface and near riparian forest.
Water Parameters:
Temperature: 23–27°C
pH Range: 6.0–7.5
Hardness: soft to moderately hard water
Temperament:
Generally peaceful, but active. It is best kept with other peaceful, similarly sized fish that will not be intimidated by its movement. Avoid tiny, very shy or long-finned tank mates if the group is understocked or the aquarium is cramped.
Diet:
Omnivorous with a strong insect-feeding tendency in nature. It should be offered a varied diet including quality flake, micro pellets, small granules, frozen brineshrimp, daphnia, cyclops, bloodworm and occasional live foods. Surface-feeding behaviour is natural, so floating or slow-sinking foods are useful.
Minimum Tank Size:
A practical recommendation is at least 120 litres for a proper group, with a longer aquarium preferred to provide open swimming space.
Behaviour & Activity:
This is an active mid-to-upper level shoaling tetra that should be kept in a group of at least 6, ideally 8–10 or more. In nature it has been observed swimming close to the surface in schools, so it benefits from open swimming areas, gentle surface movement, planted edges and floating cover. A secure lid is recommended, as surface-oriented tetras may jump when startled.
Aquarium Category:
Community Fish
This species is peaceful enough for a well-planned community aquarium, especially with other medium-sized tetras, peaceful barbs, rainbowfish, Corydoras, bristlenose plecos, dwarf cichlids and other non-aggressive fish. Avoid large predators, aggressive cichlids, very small nano fish and delicate slow-moving species that may be stressed by a lively tetra shoal.
Special Requirements or Care Notes:
Best kept in a mature aquarium with clean, stable water, good filtration and regular maintenance. A planted layout with darker substrate, wood, shaded areas and open swimming space will suit this species well. Because detailed aquarium-specific care information is limited compared with more common tetras, it is safest to treat it as an active, mid-sized shoaling tetra and avoid cramped or unstable setups.
Suitable for:
Intermediate fishkeepers
Availability:
Rare / occasional in trade
All images are a visual representation of the fish you will receive, made to be as accurate as possible. Please note that Mother Nature is a wonderful thing, and variation in patterns and colours will occur — that is part of the unique beauty of these animals.
