Bucktooth Tetra

The bucktooth tetra is a good-looking species with two large, round black spots on its yellowish-silver body, one at the shoulder and the other at the base of the tail, and reddish fins. In the wild, however, it feeds by tearing off and eating the scales of other fish (lepidophagy). It is a very fast, aggressive tetra that can exceed 12 cm; it is not suitable for a community tank.

• At least 250 liters for a group of 10 or more; 120 cm length.
• 24–27°C, pH 6–7.5, soft to moderately hard water.
• Plenty of decor that breaks lines of sight (roots, rocks, sturdy plants) spreads out aggression.
• Strong filtration and a lid are recommended.

Mainly carnivorous. Carnivore granules, frozen bloodworms, mysis shrimp, brine shrimp and strips of fish meat are suitable. Feeding it well reduces attacks on other individuals.

When kept in small numbers, the dominant fish can badly batter the others; so it should be kept either in a large group or not at all. It attacks the scales and fins of other fish kept with it; it eats small fish and shrimp.

Good companions: ideally only its own species; armored plecos in very large tanks.

Avoid: almost all community fish, slow and long-finned species, shrimp.