Bucktooth Tetra (Exodon paradoxus)
An unusually aggressive Tetra, The Bucktooth Tetra, Exodon paradoxus is unsuitable for a community aquarium and should ideally be maintained in a species-only aquarium.
This fish will continuously attack most other tank mates, including much larger and considered aggressive species.
You will need to house these fish in a large group so they cannot target individual fish. By maintaining these fish in larger groups, it is usually only unhealthy or sick specimens that are killed, although you should still anticipate occasional casualties.
The Bucktooth Tetra has an elongated, silvery-tanned transparent body with two distinct black spots, one before the tail and another below the dorsal fin.
The lower half of the dorsal fin is bright red. The name of this Tetra is quite contradictory, considering Bucktooth Tetras show no signs of any actual teeth.
Photos
| Quick Facts | |
|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Exodon paradoxus |
| Other Names | Exodon Tetra |
| Classification | Actinopterygii |
| Order | Characiformes |
| Family | Characidae |
| Genus | Exodon |
| Origins | Brazil, Colombia, Guyana |
| Temperament | Aggressive |
| Aquarium Level | Middle - Top |
| Difficulty | Intermediate - Advanced |
| Shoaling | Yes |
| Best kept as | Groups 8+ |
| Diet | Carnivore |
| Reproduction | Egg-Layer |
| Lifespan | 3 - 5 years |
| Water Parameters | |
|---|---|
| Water Type | Freshwater |
| PH | 5.5 - 7.5 |
| GH | 5 - 20 |
| Temperature | |
|---|---|
| 72 - 82℉ 22.2 - 27.8℃ | |
Feeding
Because the Bucktooth Tetra is a carnivore; it would be best if you aimed to feed your fish on a diet primarily of meaty foodstuffs such as live and/or frozen daphnia, brine shrimp, lobster eggs, cyclops, Mysis shrimp and bloodworm. Bloodworm should be used sparingly as it is hard for your fish to digest.
You can also cut up earthworms from your garden or chop up shop brought mussels, prawns, krill and fresh fish (be sure only to use fresh or frozen fish and not fish canned in oil).
You can also try your fish with dried foods formulated for predatory fish and made up of insect material such as Fluval bug bites, which can also be used to supplement the diet.
Get to know your fish and test which foods they prefere and which they ignore but always be sure not to overfeed your fish and remove excessive uneaten food whenever possible.
Sexual Dimorphism
It is tricky to distinguish Buck Tooth Tetra males from females; however, mature males are more streamlined and grow slightly elongated anal and dorsal fin rays.