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African Red Eyed Tetra

By The Aquarium Calculators Editorial Team ·

Arnoldichthys spilopterus

Complete African Red Eyed Tetra care guide covering omnivore diet requirements, peaceful temperament, minimum 30 Gallons tank setup, and compatible freshwater tankmates. Difficulty: Easy.

African Red Eyed Tetra

Quick Answer

African Red Eyed Tetra (Arnoldichthys spilopterus) is a robust, large tetra from Nigeria. It requires a minimum 30 Gallons aquarium with a pH of 6.5 - 7.5 and temperature range of 22-26°C. This omnivore occupies the middle zone and makes an excellent addition to community setups.

Intro

African Red Eyed Tetra (Arnoldichthys spilopterus) is a robust, large tetra from Nigeria. It has a prominent red eye and a dark spot on the upper tail base.

Setup

A 30-gallon or larger tank with open swimming space and plants. They need good water quality and regular changes.

Feeding

Omnivorous; accepts flakes, pellets, frozen foods, and live foods. They enjoy vegetable matter.

Compatibility

Peaceful. Keep in schools of 6+. Good with larger tetras, rainbowfish, barbs, and peaceful cichlids.

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Tank Position
Middle
Water Temp
22-26°C
Adult Size
See profile
Water pH
6.5 - 7.5

Species Characteristics

Adult Size
Lifespan
Growth Rate
moderate
Tank Compatibility
Community compatible
Indoor Aquarium
Yes

Water Parameters

Water Temperature
Humidity
Water pH

Tank Lighting

Tank Lighting
Standard lighting
Light Hours
N/A
Intensity
moderate

Feeding & Diet

Diet Type
Diet: Omnivore
Feeding Schedule
N/A
Live Food Options
N/A

Continue Learning

Recommended Tools

Fish Compatibility Calculator fish compatibility

Health & Disease

Ich (White Spot Disease) common disease • all fish

Related Guides

Understanding pH in Aquariums water parameters • ph

Similar Species

Apistogramma Care Guide: Temperament & Diet semanticSimilarity Banded Corydoras Care Guide: Substrate & Diet semanticSimilarity Black Neon Tetra Care Guide: Tank Size & Diet semanticSimilarity

Frequently Asked Questions

How many African Red Eyed Tetras should be kept together?
Maintain a minimum school of 8 to 12 individuals in a tank with a footprint of 30x12 inches (75x30 cm) and volume of 20 gallons (75 liters). As active open-water schooling fish, groups under 6 exhibit chronic stress, faded coloration, and erratic swimming. Larger schools of 15+ display vivid red irises and natural shoaling dynamics. Inadequate swimming length (under 24 inches/60 cm) causes stereotypical pacing. Keep with similarly sized tetras or rasboras; avoid aggressive fin-nippers like Tiger Barbs.
What are the precise water parameters for African Red Eyed Tetras?
Target pH 6.5 - 7.5, General Hardness 5 - 12 dGH, Carbonate Hardness 4 - 10 dKH, Total Dissolved Solids 120 - 300 ppm, Electrical Conductivity 250 - 600 μS/cm, and temperature 72°F - 79°F (22°C - 26°C). They adapt to standard tap water but require low nitrates (<15 ppm). Weekly 20% water changes are mandatory. Use neutral buffering substrate or crushed coral if tap water is soft. Avoid sudden pH shifts >0.3 per day. Add floating plants (Water Sprite) to diffuse light and reduce stress.
What is the optimal feeding and medication regimen for African Red Eyed Tetras?
They are active omnivores requiring 40% protein, 10% fat, and 50% plant matter. Feed high-quality tropical flakes (Omega One, New Life Spectrum) twice daily, supplemented with frozen daphnia, cyclops, and baby brine shrimp once daily. Offer spirulina flakes twice weekly. They accept slow-sinking micro pellets (0.5 mm). Medication alert: Tolerate standard copper doses (0.2 mg/L) but sensitive to formalin; use praziquantel for camallanus worms. Avoid nitrofurazone, which causes gill damage. Quarantine new arrivals for 14 days.
How to breed African Red Eyed Tetras in a home aquarium?
Select 6-8 mature individuals (1 year old) and condition with live brine shrimp and blackworms for 10 days. Set up a 10-gallon (40 liter) breeding tank with 4 inches (10 cm) of RO water (pH 6.0, 2 dGH), a spawning mop or Java moss, and gentle air stone. Increase temperature to 80°F (27°C) and simulate dawn with gradual lighting. Spawning occurs in the morning; female releases 200-300 eggs. Remove parents after 4 hours. Eggs hatch in 24 hours at 78°F (25°C). Fry are 0.1 inch (2.5 mm); feed infusoria for 3 days, then microworms, then baby brine shrimp from day 7.

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