Care Level: Easy

Temperament: Peaceful

Live Plant Safe: Yes

General Description: The Balloon Red Eye Tetra is a selectively bred decorative form of the wild-type Red Eye Tetra. While the wild-type has a large distribution throughout Brazil, Paraguay, and Argentina, all Red eye tetra available within the aquarium trade are captive or commerically produced due to their popularity. A hardy fish, the Balloon red eye tetra adds a quirkiness to the aquarium with their silver bodies, black bar at the base of their caudal fin, bright red eye brow, and round shape. Balloon red eye tetras are natural shoaling fish, thriving best with at least 6 individuals but more are encouraged. The wild-type Red eye tetra are a bit of a gregarious species and with too few individuals can result in them harassing other tank mates. This demeanor may be less of an issue with the Balloon red eye tetra, however observation is still suggested. An adult Balloon red eye tetra can reach a size of approximately 2″.

Diet Requirements: Balloon red eye tetra are among some of the most unfussy with regard to food. Nevertheless, offer a diet made up of various high quality vegetable based and protein based flake foods, sinking micro pellet foods and bug bites are ideal, in addition to offering frozen foods such as bloodworms, brine shrimp and daphnia. Variety is the spice of life in order to maintain color, immune function and longevity of your fish.

Care Requirements: A minimum 10 to 15 gallon aquarium is ideal for a small group of Ballon red eye tetra. Size up accordingly to accomodate a larger shoal or to lessen the liklihood of aggression toward tank mates. Balloon red eye tetra are one of our listed “hardy fish” because they are able to endure the initial break-in cycle of a newly set-up aquarium. Given their ease of care, Balloon red eye tetra are also an excellent choice for beginner hobbyists. Balloon red eye tetra are a very adaptable species to a wide range of water parameters. The aquarium does not need to be aquascaped with anything in particular to keep a shoal of Ballon red eye tetra happy, but plants, driftwood and other natural-looking arrangements will bring out the beauty of this fish. Balloon red eye tetra form loose hierarchies, and this social structure is important to avoid this tetra being more prone to nip at other tank mates. Balloon red eye tetra are very diverse in their compatability given their temperament and activity level. They can be mixed with some larger fish species (such as angelfish, certain South American cichlids) but can also be mixed with other typical community-type fish. Recommended water conditions, 72-78° F, KH 4-8, pH 6.0-7.5.

Purchase Size: Medium: 1”

Note: Your item may not look identical to the image provided due to variation within species. Purchase sizes are approximate.