{"product_id":"red-moenkhausia-rubra-tetra-moenkhausia-rubra","title":"Red Moenkhausia - Rubra Tetra - Moenkhausia Rubra","description":"\u003cp class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal\" dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eRed Moenkhausia \/ Rubra Tetra | A Rare and Iridescent South American Gem\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal\" dir=\"ltr\"\u003eThe Rubra Tetra (Moenkhausia rubra) is a genuinely stunning and relatively rare tetra that deserves far more attention in the freshwater aquarium hobby than it currently receives. Also known as the Blue Sapphire Tetra — a name that hints at its dual personality — this captivating little fish combines two striking visual elements in one compact package: a warm reddish-orange flush across the back of the body, most intense on breeding males, and a shimmering blue-green iridescence that catches the light and shifts with every movement. The name \"rubra\" comes from the Latin word for red, a nod to the warm body tones that give this species its distinctive look.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal\" dir=\"ltr\"\u003eIn a well-planted tank under good lighting, a school of Rubra Tetras is a genuinely eye-catching display — constantly shifting between warm red and cool blue-green as they move through the water together.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal\" dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eRubra Tetra Care Guide\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal\" dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCare at a Glance\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul dir=\"ltr\" class=\"[li_\u0026amp;]:mb-0 [li_\u0026amp;]:mt-1 [li_\u0026amp;]:gap-1 [\u0026amp;:not(:last-child)_ul]:pb-1 [\u0026amp;:not(:last-child)_ol]:pb-1 list-disc flex flex-col gap-1 pl-8 mb-3 print:block print:space-y-1\"\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"font-claude-response-body whitespace-normal break-words pl-2\"\u003eScientific name: Moenkhausia rubra\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"font-claude-response-body whitespace-normal break-words pl-2\"\u003eAlso known as: Rubra Tetra, Blue Sapphire Tetra, Red Moenkhausia\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"font-claude-response-body whitespace-normal break-words pl-2\"\u003eAdult size: up to 2 inches (5 cm)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"font-claude-response-body whitespace-normal break-words pl-2\"\u003eMinimum tank size: 20 gallons — longer tanks preferred for schooling behaviour\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"font-claude-response-body whitespace-normal break-words pl-2\"\u003eTemperature: 76–82°F (24–28°C)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"font-claude-response-body whitespace-normal break-words pl-2\"\u003epH: 6.0–7.2 — soft to moderately hard water preferred\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"font-claude-response-body whitespace-normal break-words pl-2\"\u003eBest kept in groups of 8 or more\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"font-claude-response-body whitespace-normal break-words pl-2\"\u003eLifespan: 3–5 years with good care\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal\" dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eRubra Tetra Tank Setup\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal\" dir=\"ltr\"\u003eA well-planted aquarium with dark substrate, open central swimming space, and gentle to moderate water flow suits Rubra Tetras perfectly. Dense planting along the sides and background provides security and helps these fish feel confident enough to school actively and display their best colouration. Subdued lighting with floating plants to diffuse intensity brings out both the warm red tones and the blue-green iridescence simultaneously — the contrast is particularly striking against dark hardscape and planting.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal\" dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFeeding Your Rubra Tetras\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal\" dir=\"ltr\"\u003eOmnivorous micropredators that are easy and unfussy to feed. A high quality micro flake or small pellet makes an excellent staple diet, supplemented regularly with frozen or live foods such as baby brine shrimp, daphnia, cyclops, and bloodworm. A varied, protein-rich diet will enhance the reddish colouration of males and keep the whole school in top condition.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal\" dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHow Many Rubra Tetras Should You Keep?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal\" dir=\"ltr\"\u003eAs a true schooling species, Rubra Tetras should be kept in groups of 8 or more. In a proper school they are active, confident, and display their best colouration — particularly the males, who intensify their red tones when competing for female attention. Small groups tend to be more timid and less visually impressive.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal\" dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eRubra Tetra Tank Mates\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul dir=\"ltr\" class=\"[li_\u0026amp;]:mb-0 [li_\u0026amp;]:mt-1 [li_\u0026amp;]:gap-1 [\u0026amp;:not(:last-child)_ul]:pb-1 [\u0026amp;:not(:last-child)_ol]:pb-1 list-disc flex flex-col gap-1 pl-8 mb-3 print:block print:space-y-1\"\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"font-claude-response-body whitespace-normal break-words pl-2\"\u003eOther small, peaceful South American tetras and rasboras\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"font-claude-response-body whitespace-normal break-words pl-2\"\u003eCorydoras and small peaceful bottom dwellers\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"font-claude-response-body whitespace-normal break-words pl-2\"\u003eDwarf cichlids such as Apistogramma and German Blue Rams\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"font-claude-response-body whitespace-normal break-words pl-2\"\u003ePeaceful gouramis and small danios\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"font-claude-response-body whitespace-normal break-words pl-2\"\u003eShrimp — generally safe with adults, use caution with very small juvenile shrimp\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"font-claude-response-body whitespace-normal break-words pl-2\"\u003eAvoid large or aggressive fish and fin-nipping species\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e","brand":"Poseidon Aquatics And Plants","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":48503897653470,"sku":null,"price":29.99,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0645\/4768\/4574\/files\/Photo_c76bf674-ca83-49a4-aa92-26174c534b16.png?v=1741201181","url":"https:\/\/poseidonaquaticsandplants.com\/products\/red-moenkhausia-rubra-tetra-moenkhausia-rubra","provider":"Poseidon Aquatics And Plants","version":"1.0","type":"link"}