Dusky tetra
Moenkhausia phaeonota
Also known as Phaeonota tetra
Care at a glance
- Temperature
- 73–82°F (23–28°C)
- pH
- 5.0–6.8
- Adult size
- 2.2 in (5.6 cm)
- Minimum tank
- 20 gal (75 L)
- Temperament
- Peaceful
- Social behavior
- Schooling
- Swim level
- Middle
- Difficulty
- Medium
- Breeding
- No record
- Rarity
- Rare
- Origin
- Upper Tapajós basin, Brazil
- Family
- Characidae
Overview
The dusky tetra is a peaceful schooling fish that rewards a tinted, blackwater-style tank, and it should be kept in a group of at least eight to ten. It swims in the middle of the water and looks its best against dark decor and soft light, which deepen its smoky coloring. Choose gentle, similar-sized companions such as small tetras, pencilfish, hatchetfish, and corydoras, and skip anything large or pushy. Feed small foods: quality flake, micro pellets, and regular frozen or live daphnia, cyclops, and bloodworm. A group is comfortable in around 75 liters or more.
In the wild
Moenkhausia phaeonota lives in soft, tea-stained tributaries of the upper Rio Tapajos in Mato Grosso, Brazil. Aim for blackwater-leaning conditions: warm water from 23 to 28 degrees Celsius, an acidic pH between 5.0 and 6.8, and very low hardness. Filter over botanicals or peat, add leaf litter and driftwood for tannins, keep the light dim, and use a dark substrate to bring out the fish and settle the group.
Good to know
Moenkhausia phaeonota was described by William Fink in 1979 and belongs to the characin family Characidae, reaching about 5.6 centimeters. Its name means dusky, and it is unusual in a genus of bright, silvery fish for its matte, smoked-bronze coloring, said to be unlike any other Moenkhausia. It is an egg-scattering spawner, and there are no established aquarium breeding records.
Did you know
In a genus known for bright, mirror-silver fish, this one is matte and smoky, a dusky finish so distinctive it doubles as the easiest way to tell the species apart.
Tank mates
Dusky tetra is a peaceful, schooling species that keeps to the middle. These picks match on water type, temperature, pH, size and temperament.
Eel kuhli loach
Pangio anguillarisFreshwater4.7 in (12 cm)20 gal (75 L)72–82°F (22–28°C)
Agassiz's dwarf cichlid
Apistogramma agassiziiFreshwater3.5 in (9 cm)20 gal (75 L)72–84°F (22–29°C)
Ornate tetra
Hyphessobrycon bentosiFreshwater1.8 in (4.5 cm)20 gal (75 L)72–82°F (22–28°C)
Indian glassy fish
Parambassis rangaFreshwater3.1 in (8 cm)20 gal (75 L)68–86°F (20–30°C)
Marble wood shrimp
Atya scabraFreshwater3.9 in (10 cm)20 gal (75 L)73–82°F (23–28°C)
Cochu's blue tetra
Boehlkea fredcochuiFreshwater2.2 in (5.5 cm)20 gal (75 L)72–82°F (22–28°C)
Common questions
What size tank does a Dusky tetra need?
A Dusky tetra needs at least 20 gal (75 L). It spends most of its time in the middle.
What temperature and pH do Dusky tetra need?
Dusky tetra are comfortable at 73–82°F (23–28°C) with a pH of 5.0–6.8.
How big do Dusky tetra get?
An adult Dusky tetra reaches about 2.2 in (5.6 cm).
Do Dusky tetra need a group?
Yes. Dusky tetra are a schooling species and should be kept in a group, not singly.
Where to buy
Some links may not be the exact species or variety.
…or ask your local fish store.
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Related species
Ruby moenkhausia
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Moenkhausia copeiFreshwater2.4 in (6 cm)20 gal (75 L)73–82°F (23–28°C)Preto tetra
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Ceros Tetra
Moenkhausia cerosFreshwater2 in (5 cm)16 gal (60 L)75–82°F (24–28°C)