Buenos Aires Tetra (Hyphessobrycon anisitsi)
The Buenos Aires Tetra is a relativity peaceful, hardy and active fish that is good for the beginner hobbyist, and a community aquarium.
They are durable and long-lived and do not have any special requirements or needs that have to be met for them to thrive.
These species are hearty feeders that must be kept well-fed, or they may resort to nipping at their long-finned tankmates. Retaining them in a school will help reduce fin-nipping. They will also eat your live aquarium plants.
The Buenos Aires Tetra is a silvery colour that picks up flashy neon highlights. The bottom and the top of the tail fin are frequently red, as are the anal and pelvic fins.
The dorsal fin also has a tinge of red. Its most distinctive feature is the caudal peduncle which features a bold, black cross shape. There is also an Albino version of this species.
| Quick Facts | |
|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Hyphessobrycon anisitsi |
| Other Names | Diamond Spot Characin, Red Cross Fish |
| Classification | Actinopterygii |
| Order | Characiformes |
| Family | Characidae |
| Genus | Hyphessobrycon |
| Origins | Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay |
| Temperament | Semi-Aggressive |
| Aquarium Level | Middle - Top |
| Difficulty | Beginner |
| Shoaling | Yes |
| Best kept as | Groups 5+ |
| Diet | Omnivore |
| Reproduction | Egg-Scatterer |
| Lifespan | up to 5 year |
| Water Parameters | |
|---|---|
| Water Type | Freshwater |
| PH | 6.0 - 8.0 |
| GH | 2 - 35 |
| Temperature | |
|---|---|
| 64 - 82℉ 17.8 - 27.8℃ | |
Photos of the Buenos Aires Tetra
Natural Habitat
The Buenos Aires tetra are found in South America in the La Plata region, Argentina, Paraguay and southeastern Brazil.
Their natural habitat is slow-moving ponds, lakes, streams and the two Rivers Uruguay and Parana.
These species of Tetra are a freshwater fish and do not do so good in polluted or highly salty waters.
What to feed the Buenos Aires Tetra
Buenos Aires tetras will happily accept a wide variety of foods such as dried and flake food as well as freeze-dried foods.
For the best condition, health and colour feed them live foods such as daphnia, bloodworm, mosquito larvae and brine shrimp.
These fish will need feeding several times a day, but when you do feed them, give them small amounts often.
How to sex the Buenos Aires Tetra
The female is generally larger, fuller-bodied with a more rounded stomach, and the males tend to have more vivid, red fins, sometimes favouring towards yellow.
How to breed the Buenos Aires Tetra
Buenos Aires Tetras are easy to breed, and the fry needs no parental care, so they are ideal for the beginner aquarist.
To breed this species you will need a separate dimly lit breeding tank with plenty of plant coverage, java moss or equivalent will be fine, alternatively spawning mops would do just as well, so the female has places to deposit her eggs.
The water condition should be slightly acidic and soft, and the temperature should be a couple of degrees higher than their average temperature. A small air-powered filter is required for gentle movement and filtration.
The Buenos Aires Tetra can be bred in a small group or as a pair, and for the best result choose the more brightly coloured fish and feed them a good supply of small live foods.
They will generally start to spawn at dawn, and the females can lay up to 2000 eggs on the plants during this time. Once they have laid, you should remove the parents straight away; otherwise, they will get eaten.
The eggs will start to hatch within 24 to 36 hours, and the fry will be free-swimming 3 to 4 days later.