Intermediate careSemi-aggressiveSchool of 6+Central America

Xenotoca eiseni

Xenotoca eiseni

The Xenotoca eiseni (Xenotoca eiseni) is a semi-aggressive fish that's a good step up once you have a little experience. Give it a tank of at least 80 litres (21 US gallons), water held at 64-75°F, and a pH of 7-8. Always keep a group of at least 6 - they feel safest in numbers.

Care levelIntermediate

TemperamentSemi-aggressive

Min tank size21 US gal

pH range7-8

Temperature64-75°F

Max size2.8 in (7.0 cm)

Captive lifespan3-6 years

SchoolingYes · 6+ recommended

Captive lifespan reflects typical experience in a home aquarium, not maximum recorded age; genetics, sourcing, and care vary.

Natural distribution

Central America

Central America & Mexico

Regional colours match the stocking calculator's origin map.

Xenotoca eiseni Tank Setup

A tank of at least 80 litres (21 US gallons) works well. Keep the water at 64-75°F with a pH around 7-8, and set up both cover and open swimming space where they spend most of their time (Mid). Always keep a group of at least 6 of their own kind - kept alone or in pairs they tend to turn shy, nippy, or wash out in colour.

What Do Xenotoca eisenis Eat?

They're not fussy eaters - feed a varied diet, rotating good-quality dry, frozen, and gel foods rather than the same thing every day, and match the food size to their mouths.

Xenotoca eiseni Tank Mates

Red-tailed Goodeid; may nip fins. Keep in groups. Critically endangered in wild; buy captive-bred. The Xenotoca eiseni is semi-aggressive, which is the first thing to weigh up when you choose tank mates. It's a known fin-nipper, so avoid bettas, guppies, and other slow, long-finned fish. It's a shoaling fish, so settle a group of 6 or more of its own kind before adding anything else - a stressed, lonely fish is far more likely to nip or hide. Before you buy, run your full stocking list through our stocking calculator. It weighs temperament, adult size, and water needs together, which a single species page can't do on its own.

Are Xenotoca eisenis Good for Beginners?

Doable once you test water regularly and catch problems before fish look sick. If this is your first tank, pick something more forgiving and come back later.

Xenotoca eiseni - frequently asked questions

What size tank do Xenotoca eisenis need?

Xenotoca eisenis need a tank of at least 80 litres (21 US gallons). A bigger tank is always easier to keep stable, and gives them more room to settle in and behave naturally.

How many Xenotoca eisenis should I keep together?

Keep a group of at least 6. Xenotoca eisenis are a shoaling species and become stressed, lose their colour, or hide when kept singly or in pairs.

What water parameters do Xenotoca eisenis need?

Keep them at 64-75°F with a pH of 7-8, steady rather than chased to an exact figure. In a cycled tank, ammonia and nitrite should both read 0 ppm, with nitrate kept low through regular water changes.

What do Xenotoca eisenis eat?

Xenotoca eisenis are omnivores and aren't fussy eaters. Feed a varied mix of good-quality dry, frozen, and gel foods, and match the food size to their mouths. Feed small amounts once or twice a day, and remove anything they don't eat.

Are Xenotoca eisenis good for beginners?

Xenotoca eisenis are best for keepers with a little experience. They are manageable once you test water regularly and catch problems early; a complete beginner may prefer something more forgiving first.

Common mistakes with Xenotoca eisenis

Buying fewer than 6 - Xenotoca eisenis need a proper school to feel secure; isolated individuals hide, fail to colour up, or become stressed.
Mixing with long-finned fish - Xenotoca eisenis will nip at bettas, angelfish, and other fish with flowing fins, causing stress and infection risk.

Building a community? Run the full list through the stocking calculator before you add anything else.