Product Details

Bonita Tetra – Moenkhausia bonita

Overview:

The Bonita Tetra is an uncommon South American shoaling fish with a bright silver body, active swimming style and attractive dark markings through the tail. Moenkhausia bonita is a larger, lively tetra that suits mature planted aquariums and spacious peaceful communities where it can be kept in a proper group. It is not as small or delicate as many nano tetras, so it should be given good swimming room, calm but confident tank mates and a varied diet.

Key Identification:

Common Name: Bonita Tetra
Other Names: Flagtail Tetra, Blackbird Tetra, Bonita Moenkhausia
Scientific Name: Moenkhausia bonita
Fish Type: Tetra
Water Type: Freshwater

Natural Range & Habitat:

The Bonita Tetra is native to South America and was originally described from the upper Rio Miranda, part of the Rio Paraguay basin in Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil. FishBase records the species as known from the type locality in the upper Rio Miranda, with habitat notes placing it in very shallow freshwater.

In nature, it is associated with slow, shallow waters and is reported from blackwater-style stream habitat. In the aquarium, it is best provided with clean, mature water, shaded areas, plants, wood and open swimming space.

Appearance & Adult Size:

Bonita Tetras have a streamlined, silver to silvery-gold body with a reflective sheen and contrasting dark markings at the tail. The caudal fin pattern is a key feature, with dark edging or markings that give the fish its “flagtail” look. Adults are larger than many common small tetras, with FishBase listing a maximum size of 8.53 cm standard length.

Males may appear slimmer and more colourful when displaying, while females are usually deeper-bodied when mature.

Aquarium Suitability:

This is a good choice for a medium to larger peaceful community aquarium, especially a planted South American-style setup. Bonita Tetras need open midwater swimming room as well as cover from plants, wood or floating vegetation. They are too active for tiny tanks and may unsettle very shy nano fish, but they work well with confident community species of similar size.

Recommended Aquarium Size:

A practical minimum is 120 litres for a group, with 150–180 litres or more preferred for a larger shoal and better swimming space. A tank length of at least 90 cm is recommended, as this is an active tetra with a larger adult size than many common community species.

Water Conditions:

Temperature: 22–27°C
pH: 6.0–7.5
Hardness: Soft to moderately hard; softer stable water preferred
Additional Notes: Provide clean, stable water with gentle to moderate flow. A mature planted aquarium with shaded areas, floating plants or tannins will suit the species well. Avoid immature aquariums, high nitrate and sudden changes in water chemistry.

Temperament & Tank Mates:

Aquarium Category: Community Fish

Bonita Tetras are generally peaceful, but they are active and should be kept with tank mates that can cope with their movement and feeding response. Suitable companions include other medium tetras, pencilfish, hatchetfish, peaceful barbs, rasboras, Cory-type catfish, bristlenose plecs, dwarf cichlids in suitable setups and calm rainbowfish in compatible water.

Avoid very small fry, tiny nano fish, slow long-finned fish and aggressive cichlids. Keep in a group of at least 6, with 8–10 or more preferred. Larger groups reduce nervous behaviour and encourage more natural shoaling.

Feeding:

Bonita Tetras are omnivorous and should accept a wide range of aquarium foods. Offer quality flakes, small granules and micro pellets as the staple diet, supported with frozen or live foods such as daphnia, brineshrimp, cyclops, mosquito larvae and bloodworm. Surface insects and drifting foods are likely to be taken readily, so include floating or slow-sinking foods as well as small meaty items.

Behaviour in the Aquarium:

This species spends most of its time in the middle and upper levels, moving in a loose shoal. It may become especially active at feeding time and will show best when kept in a spacious aquarium with open swimming lanes. In a settled group, individuals may display to one another without usually causing harm.

Care Notes:

Add only to a cycled, mature aquarium with stable water quality. Keep in a proper group rather than singly or in pairs. Provide a secure lid, as active tetras can jump if startled. Use plants, wood and subdued areas to help the fish settle, but leave open water for swimming. Because this species is uncommon in the trade, careful acclimation and low-stress tank mates are recommended.

Recommended For:

Beginner to intermediate

Availability:

Rare / Occasional / Specialist import or captive-bred when available

Image Disclaimer:

All images are a visual representation of the fish you will receive, made to be as accurate as possible. Natural variation in size, colour, pattern and markings can occur between individual fish.