Bucktooth Tetra is a fish with the scientific name Exodon paradoxus. It’s the only fish in the Exodon group and belongs to the Characidae family.
This fish lives in fresh water and is from the Amazon Basin and Guyana. People first learned about bucktooth tetra in 1845, but they weren’t sold for aquariums until 1932.
In nature, bucktooth tetras feed on small animals, other fish, and plants. They’re not good tankmates for other small tetras as they eat or harm them.
To ensure proper care, it’s advised to house bucktooth tetra alone or in large planted tanks that provide ample protection for other species.
However, bucktooth tetras like being in groups of eight or more as smaller groups make them stressed and unhealthy.
Also, these fish are hardy and can live for more than ten years with adequate care.
You can check out what this fish looks like over here.
.jpg){kind=link}
Bucktooth Tetra Interesting Facts
- Bucktooth tetras are unique freshwater fish from the Amazon Basin and Guyana, discovered in 1845 but have only been sold for aquariums since 1932.
- Despite their name, they don’t have visible teeth; instead, they have a light tan color, two black spots, and a bright red fin on top.
- These fish can be aggressive, so it’s best to keep them alone or with lots of protective plants when in an aquarium.
- They prefer being in groups of at least eight and can live more than ten years if properly cared for.
Bucktooth Tetra Habitat
Bucktooth tetra is a freshwater fish from South America, specifically the Amazon and Tocantins River basins, as well as Guyana.
This fish typically swims in open water and prefer slightly acidic to neutral water conditions with a pH range of 5.5 to 7.5.
The water hardness should be up to 20 dH. This tropical fish thrives in temperatures between 73°F to 82°F (23°C to 28°C).
| Water Temperature: | 73°F to 82°F (23°C to 28°C) |
| Water pH: | 5.5 to 7.5 pH |
| Water Hardness: | Unknown |
Bucktooth Tetra Physical Characteristics
Size: 3 inches (7.5 centimeters)
Bucktooth tetras grow up to 3 inches (7.5 centimeters) long. These fish look like typical tetras: long, light tan color, two black spots, and a bright red fin on top.
The name “Bucktooth” doesn’t describe how they look because they don’t have visible teeth.
Bucktooth Tetra Scientific Classification
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Actinopterygii |
| Order: | Characiformes |
| Family: | Characidae |
| Genus: | Exodon |
| Scientific Name: | Exodon paradoxus |
| Also Known As: | Bucktooth Tetra |
| Conservation Status: | Unknown |