Bucktooth Tetra
Updated August 5, 2019
Author: Mike - FishLore Admin
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The Bucktooth Tetra (Exodon paradoxus) is sort of a misnomer in that this fish isn't buck toothed at all. It does however eat the scales of other fish species. Caution is advised if you plan on stocking them with fish that have scales. They reportedly do fine with catfish species. They need to be kept in schools of 5 to 7 or more for best results.
They are considered quite hardy once established and fed a good quality flake or pellet food. Several small feedings per day are recommended.
The Bucktooth Tetra gets to be about 2.9 inches (7.5 cm).
Bucktooth Tetra Care
Scientific Name : Exodon paradoxus
Common Names : Bucktooth Tetra
Care Level : Easy
Size : 2.9 inches (7.5 cm)
Water Parameters : pH 5.5 - 7.5 | dH range: 5 - 20 | Temperature : 73°F - 82°F (23°C - 28°C)
Lifespan : 8 to 10 years
Origin / Habitat : South America, Amazon and Tocantins River basins.
Temperament / Behavior : Similar to other tetras but they need a species only tank due to them being lepidophages (eats the scales off of other fish).
Breeding : Egg scatterers and the parents will eat the eggs.
Aquarium Size : 30 gallon recommended (schooling fish)
Tank Mates : Keep them in groups to limit the fin nipping. Avoid keeping them with other fish species except in very large tanks and keep them well fed. Should be ok if keeping them with scaleless catfish species.
Diet / Foods : Fish scales, small insects in the wild. Give them a good pellet food or flake food a few times per day.
Tank Region : all over the tank
Gender : Don't know of any ways to tell male from females by external characteristics.
Photo Credit : Photos copyright JJPhoto.dk
More Tetra Fish Profiles
Bleeding Heart Tetra
Has the signature small red spot (don't think it looks like a heart though) on its sides.
Blind Cave Tetra
The Blind Cave tetras live in deep caves in the wild. They range from Texas to Mexico, with the sighted version from Mexico to Panama. There is no need for eye sight in the pitch black caves, so they have evolved to adapt to these conditions.
Bloodfin Tetra
A slim lined tetra with red fins, a fast swimmer that does well in planted tanks.
