TankBud

Bucktooth tetra

Exodon paradoxus

FreshwaterFish

Bucktooth tetra (Exodon paradoxus)
Ltshears · CC BY-SA 3.0

Care at a glance

Temperature
73–82°F
23–28°C
pH
5.5–7.5
Adult size
4.7 in
12 cm
Minimum tank
45 gal
170 L
Temperament
Aggressive
Social behavior
Schooling
Tankmates
Species tank only
Swim level
Middle
Diet
Carnivore
Difficulty
Medium
Breeding
No record
Rarity
Rare
Family
Characidae
Origin
Brazil

Overview

The bucktooth tetra is an aggressive schooling fish that belongs in a large species-only tank. It is for keepers with a little experience.

Did you know

Bucktooth tetras are lepidophages, which means part of their natural diet is the scales they bite off other fish. Young ones do it even more than adults.

Caring for the bucktooth tetra

Keep bucktooth tetras in a tank of at least 45 gal (170 L), with open swimming room, some current and scattered cover. Use a tight lid, since they jump.

Keep the water at 73 to 82°F (23 to 28°C). They handle a wide pH range, from 5.5 to 7.5. Feed them heavily on meaty foods such as bloodworms, brine shrimp and chopped seafood.

Bucktooth tetras are aggressive, and the trick is to keep them in a large group of 12 or more. If the group is too small to keep everyone busy, they turn on each other. A big school spreads the aggression out instead of letting it all land on one or two fish.

They are relentless fin and scale nippers, so a species-only tank is the safe call. There is no reliable aquarium breeding record for the bucktooth tetra.

Good to know

The bucktooth tetra is a characin in the family Characidae. Its common name comes from its specialized teeth, which it uses to tear at the fins and scales of other fish.

In the wild

Bucktooth tetras come from rivers and streams in Brazil. They often live in clearer flowing water over rock and submerged wood.

Common questions

What size tank does a bucktooth tetra need?

A bucktooth tetra needs at least 45 gal (170 L). It spends most of its time in the middle.

What temperature and pH does a bucktooth tetra need?

A bucktooth tetra is comfortable at 73–82°F (23–28°C) with a pH of 5.5–7.5.

What does a bucktooth tetra eat?

A bucktooth tetra eats meaty foods such as bloodworms, brine shrimp and chopped seafood. Feed it heavily.

How big does a bucktooth tetra get?

An adult bucktooth tetra reaches about 4.7 in (12 cm).

Does a bucktooth tetra need a group?

Yes. A bucktooth tetra is a schooling species; keep at least 12 together.

Related species