Bucktoothed Tetra
Exodon paradoxus
A scale-ripping tetra that's best kept in massive, single-species shoals.
About
The bucktoothed tetra (Exodon paradoxus) is one of those fish that completely rewrites your assumptions about what a tetra can be. Native to the Amazon and Tocantins river basins, as well as parts of Guyana, it's a compact but ferocious predator built around a set of uniquely shaped teeth designed for one purpose. Tearing scales from other fish. Any silver or shiny tankmate is in serious trouble, and even large predatory species aren't safe. The fish itself is colorful and active, making a big group a genuinely impressive display, but make no mistake about its temperament. The key to keeping this species successfully is numbers. A group of fewer than around a dozen tends to collapse through infighting, with individuals getting singled out and picked off until only one remains. Push that number up to 25 or more and the dynamic shifts entirely. Aggression spreads through the whole group and no single fish bears the brunt of it. Add all individuals at the same time, since new introductions are typically treated as prey rather than companions. Some keepers have had reasonable luck housing them alongside loaches, plecos, and certain larger characins, but outcomes are always unpredictable. This is a species-tank fish at heart, and a rewarding one for intermediate keepers willing to commit to a proper-sized shoal.
Similar species
Other fish you might consider
Good tank mates
Species that tend to coexist peacefully with Bucktoothed Tetra
From the same region
Share the same natural habitat. Great for a biotope-themed tank
Frequently asked questions
- How big does the Bucktoothed Tetra get?
- The Bucktoothed Tetra reaches about 2–4.5" as an adult.
- What size tank does the Bucktoothed Tetra need?
- A minimum of 33 gallons is recommended for the Bucktoothed Tetra, with more room needed for a proper group.
- What water parameters does the Bucktoothed Tetra need?
- The Bucktoothed Tetra does best with a temperature of 72–84°F, a pH of 5.5–7.5, hardness around 3–20 dGH.
- Is the Bucktoothed Tetra aggressive?
- The Bucktoothed Tetra is aggressive and is best kept alone or with robust tankmates that can hold their own.
- What does the Bucktoothed Tetra eat?
- The Bucktoothed Tetra is an omnivore. It does well on a varied diet of quality flake or pellet plus occasional frozen or live foods.
- How long does the Bucktoothed Tetra live?
- With good care, the Bucktoothed Tetra typically lives 5-8 years.