Bucktooth Tetra (Exodon paradoxus)

Fish in the family Characidae. Hard care. Freshwater.

Quick facts

Scientific nameExodon paradoxus

FamilyCharacidae

Also known asExodon, Bucktooth Characin

Care levelHard

Reef safetyFreshwater

TemperamentAggressive

Dietcarnivore

Adult size6 in

Minimum tank size75 gallons

Water parametersTemp 73-82°F, pH 5.5-7.5, GH 3-18 dGH

Appearance

Silver-gold body with two black spots (mid-flank and tail base) and red-tinged fins; a deceptively pretty piranha-relative.

Difficulty and care for the Bucktooth Tetra

Hard

Origin and habitat

South America (Amazon and Tocantins basins)

Keeper notes

A relentless, hyper-aggressive scale-eater and fin-biter; will mob and kill almost any tankmate and even each other if under-grouped. Must be kept in a large single-species shoal of a dozen or more to diffuse aggression.

Log Bucktooth Tetra in your reef tank

Reef Trak gives you the full record on every species in your tank: acquisition date, source, photos, parameters at time of stocking, and links to maintenance and feeding events. Track Bucktooth Tetra alongside everything else in your reef.

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