Bonita Tetra (Moenkhausia bonita)
The Bonita Tetra is an attractive South American tetra with a bright silver body, dark mid-lateral stripe and distinctive black marking through the tail area. Also known as the Flagtail Tetra or Blackbird Tetra, this species naturally occurs in slow-moving marginal waters where it swims close to the surface in groups. In the aquarium it is best kept as an active shoaling fish in a mature planted setup with calm tank mates, open swimming space and stable water quality.
Common Name
Bonita Tetra. Also commonly referred to as the Flagtail Tetra or Blackbird Tetra.
Scientific Name (Latin)
Moenkhausia bonita
Maximum Size
Up to around 8.5 cm standard length
| Characteristic | Detail |
|---|---|
| Origin | South America |
| Behavior | Shoaling, surface-active |
| Water Conditions | Calm, stable, planted tank |
| Compatibility | Calm, non-aggressive tank mates |
FAQ
What is the typical tank setup for Bonita Tetra?
A mature planted setup with open swimming space and stable water conditions is ideal. The fish prefer calm environments and should be kept in groups to display natural behavior.
How does the Bonita Tetra differ from other tetra species?
It has a bright silver body with a dark mid-lateral stripe and a distinctive black marking along the tail, which gives it the nickname ‘Flagtail Tetra’ or ‘Blackbird Tetra’.
What is the maximum size of a Bonita Tetra?
Up to around 8.5 cm standard length.
Molly Piper –
The Bonita Tetras are vibrant and active in a community tank. They swim near the surface and form a nice school. I keep them with other peaceful tetras and they adapt well to a planted tank with stable water parameters.
Wendy Lawrence –
They look stunning with their silver body and black tail marking. I noticed they prefer to stay near the top of the tank, so I made sure to add floating plants to give them space to swim.
Kimberly Rees –
Easy to care for and very active. I’ve kept them for over six months and they haven’t shown any signs of stress. The shoaling behavior is impressive and adds a lively feel to the aquarium.