Heiko's tetra
Moenkhausia heikoi
Also known as Heikoi tetra, Xingu black neon tetra
FreshwaterFish
Care at a glance
- Temperature
- 75–84°F
- 24–29°C
- pH
- 5.0–6.8
- Adult size
- 3.4 in
- 8.7 cm
- Minimum tank
- 29 gal
- 110 L
- Temperament
- Peaceful
- Social behavior
- Schooling
- Swim level
- Middle
- Difficulty
- Medium
- Breeding
- Egg scatterer
- Rarity
- Common
- Family
- Characidae
- Origin
- Rio Xingu, Brazil
Overview
Heiko's tetra is a larger Moenkhausia for warm, soft-water displays, and a good dither fish above plecos in a Xingu layout. It is a step up from the easiest tetras.
Did you know
Heiko's tetra is not the only fish named for Heiko Bleher, whose name is on rainbowfish and tetras alike. This Xingu fish is his stamp on the clearwater south.
Caring for the Heiko's tetra
Keep Heiko's tetras in a group of eight or more, in a tank of 29 gal (110 L) or larger. Furnish it with wood, and leave open space for swimming.
Warm water and real circulation are what keep them in condition, so give them moderate to strong flow. Hold the temperature at 75 to 84°F (24 to 29°C) and the pH at 5.0 to 6.8, in soft water.
Feed flake, granules and frozen foods generously, since they eat almost anything. Heiko's tetras are peaceful and robust, and they are safe with other community fish. They scatter their eggs and do not guard them.
Good to know
Moenkhausia heikoi is a characin in the family Characidae. Its namesake, Heiko Bleher, is the collector responsible for introducing a large share of the South American fish now in the hobby. Shops also sell it as the Heikoi tetra or the Xingu black neon tetra.
In the wild
Heiko's tetra lives in the Rio Xingu in Brazil, where warm, clear, soft and acidic water moves over rock and sand. The Xingu runs hotter than most Amazon tributaries, which is why its temperature range sits high.
Weekly picks
Tank mates
The Heiko's tetra is a peaceful, schooling species that keeps to the middle. These picks share a community profile with it, are safe together in both directions, and overlap on water type, temperature and pH.
Blue medusa pleco
Ancistrus macrophthalmus
Freshwater3.5 in (9 cm) · 29 gal (110 L)77–84°F (25–29°C)
Blackwing hatchetfish
Carnegiella marthae
Freshwater1.4 in (3.5 cm) · 30 gal (115 L)68–82°F (20–28°C)
Brilliant rasbora
Rasbora einthovenii
Freshwater3.5 in (9 cm) · 29 gal (110 L)72–82°F (22–28°C)
Aguaboa bristlenose pleco
Ancistrus aguaboensis
Freshwater3.1 in (8 cm) · 29 gal (110 L)77–84°F (25–29°C)
Silver hatchetfish
Gasteropelecus levis
Freshwater1.4 in (3.5 cm) · 30 gal (112 L)73–82°F (23–28°C)
Kyburz tetra
Pseudochalceus kyburzi
Freshwater3.1 in (7.8 cm) · 29 gal (110 L)72–81°F (22–27°C)
Common questions
What size tank does a Heiko's tetra need?
A Heiko's tetra needs at least 29 gal (110 L). It spends most of its time in the middle.
What temperature and pH does a Heiko's tetra need?
A Heiko's tetra is comfortable at 75–84°F (24–29°C) with a pH of 5.0–6.8.
What does a Heiko's tetra eat?
A Heiko's tetra eats almost anything, including flake, granules and frozen foods. Feed it generously.
How big does a Heiko's tetra get?
An adult Heiko's tetra reaches about 3.4 in (8.7 cm).
Does a Heiko's tetra need a group?
Yes. A Heiko's tetra is a schooling species and should be kept in a group, not singly.
How does a Heiko's tetra breed?
A Heiko's tetra scatters its eggs and does not guard them.
Related species
3.3 in (8.5 cm)29 gal (110 L)72–81°F (22–27°C)Bonita tetra
Moenkhausia bonita
3.3 in (8.5 cm) · 29 gal (110 L)
3.1 in (8 cm)24 gal (90 L)75–82°F (24–28°C)Green-eye tetra
Moenkhausia chlorophthalma
3.1 in (8 cm) · 24 gal (90 L)
2.8 in (7 cm)29 gal (110 L)72–82°F (22–28°C)Costae tetra
Moenkhausia costae
2.8 in (7 cm) · 29 gal (110 L)
2.6 in (6.5 cm)20 gal (75 L)73–81°F (23–27°C)Napo tetra
Moenkhausia naponis
2.6 in (6.5 cm) · 20 gal (75 L)
2.4 in (6 cm)20 gal (75 L)73–82°F (23–28°C)Cope's tetra
Moenkhausia copei
2.4 in (6 cm) · 20 gal (75 L)
2.4 in (6 cm)20 gal (75 L)73–82°F (23–28°C)Preto tetra
Moenkhausia pretoensis
2.4 in (6 cm) · 20 gal (75 L)