Bucktooth tetra

Bucktooth tetra key facts

Care level

Intermediate

Size

Up to 7.5 cm SL

Temperature

23〜28℃

Diet

Carnivore (frozen bloodworm, prawns, mussels, prepared foods)

Water Temperature & Quality

23-28°C, pH 5.5-7.5, 0-20 dH (FishBase). Keeping a large group demands very efficient filtration.

Aquarium

Seriously Fish suggests a 120 x 45 cm footprint, with room for a big school and dense plants where bullied fish can escape.

Tank Mates & Compatibility

Not a community fish: even large silvery or shiny fish are attacked. Scaleless or dull fish such as loaches and plecos are sometimes left alone, but nothing is guaranteed. Add the Exodon last, and do not add newcomers later.

Diet & Feeding

No live fish needed: feed frozen or live bloodworm, chopped prawn, mussel and earthworms, and most take dried food too. Feeding is frantic, so make sure any tankmates get enough.

Breeding & Egg-laying

Rarely bred. An egg scatterer; spawn a pair in a separate tank with fine-leaved plants or mesh in soft, slightly acidic water.

Cautions

In groups of fewer than a dozen they may pick each other off until one remains. Buy the whole group at once.

About Bucktooth tetra

The Bucktooth tetra (Exodon) is a South American characin with a silver body, two large black spots and red fins. It eats scales from other fish, so it is kept as a large single-species group. Intermediate level, up to 7.5 cm standard length.

7 things to know before welcoming a Bucktooth tetra

1. 1A scale-eating diet

   The Bucktooth tetra is a characin that tears scales off other fish and eats them. This habit does not go away in an aquarium, so any fish sharing the tank can be injured. Before you choose it for its looks, decide whether you are comfortable keeping a fish with this behavior.

2. 2Keep them on their own

   Because they are strongly aggressive, they do not suit a typical community tank. If they share a tank with other species, the victims can lose scales and become stressed or injured. The basic approach is a dedicated tank for Exodon alone.

3. 3Why keep a group

   The Bucktooth tetra is meant to be kept in a large group. With only a few fish, aggression tends to be aimed at one individual. A larger group spreads it out, so it is safer to start with as many as your tank can properly support.

4. 4Roomy tank, hiding spots

   Adults reach up to 7.5 cm in standard length (FishBase) and swim about as a group, so a roomy tank suits them. Driftwood and plants that break up lines of sight can help ease clashes between individuals. Leave open swimming space when you lay out the tank.

5. 5Water quality and changes

   A group of fish fouls the water faster, so use strong filtration and change water regularly. Poor water quality makes fish more likely to become unwell. Acclimate new fish carefully, and ideally set up the tank and let it stabilize before they arrive.

6. 6Food and leftovers

   Before you buy, it helps to ask the seller what the fish are being fed. Start with the same kind of food right after arrival, then introduce changes gradually while watching how they eat. Uneaten food hurts water quality, so remove it each time.

7. 7Why intermediate level

   Its care difficulty is rated for intermediate keepers. It helps to have some experience with the basics: handling aggression, managing a group and keeping a stable tank. Little is documented about its lifespan, so plan with plenty of margin for a long commitment.

Frequently asked questions about Bucktooth tetra

Q.Can I keep it with other fish?

A.It is generally not recommended. The Bucktooth tetra is strongly aggressive and eats scales torn from other fish. The standard approach is a large group kept on its own.

Q.Can a beginner keep it?

A.Its care difficulty is rated for intermediate keepers. You need to handle its aggression and manage a group, so it is safer to consider it once you are comfortable with the basics of fishkeeping.

Q.How large does it grow?

A.The standard length is up to 7.5 cm (FishBase). Since it swims as a group, choose a tank with room to spare for the size of the fish.

Q.Do I need to keep a group?

A.Yes, a large group is the expected way to keep them. With too few fish, aggression tends to focus on one individual, so a larger group is safer.

Q.How long does it live?

A.Little is documented about its lifespan, so there is no clear figure. Plan on keeping it for the long term and keep up careful water management and feeding.

Useful tools for Bucktooth tetra care

Learn more about Bucktooth tetra in the encyclopedia

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