Exodon Bucktooth Tetra Care Guide (Exodon paradoxus)

The Exodon Bucktooth Tetra (Exodon paradoxus) is a unique and fascinating species, well-known for its sharp teeth and predatory behavior, quite unlike most other tetras. While its appearance may be small and unassuming at first glance, this aggressive fish brings a lot of personality to any tank. Native to the rivers of South America, particularly the Amazon and Guyana regions, the Exodon Bucktooth Tetra thrives in fast-moving waters and has developed a bold, carnivorous feeding style. This fish is popular with experienced aquarists looking for something out of the ordinary.

Natural Habitat and Origins

The Exodon Bucktooth Tetra is found throughout South America, specifically in the Amazon River Basin, including rivers and streams in Brazil, Guyana, and Suriname. In the wild, these fish inhabit fast-moving waters with a sandy or rocky substrate. Their natural habitat is often densely vegetated, providing them with plenty of places to hide and ambush prey.

In these environments, Exodon Bucktooth Tetras are schooling fish that use their sharp teeth to tear pieces of flesh from other fish or invertebrates. Despite their small size, they are notorious for their aggressive behavior, both in the wild and in captivity.

Appearance and Size

The Exodon Bucktooth Tetra has a distinctive appearance, with a silver body that shimmers under aquarium lighting, adorned with two large black spots—one near the gills and one at the base of the tail. The fins often have a reddish tint, adding to the fish's striking visual appeal. The fish's most distinctive feature, however, is its sharp, conical teeth, which it uses for nipping and biting.

These tetras grow to an average size of about 3-4 inches (7.5-10 cm), making them relatively small. However, they pack a lot of aggression into their compact frame and are best kept in specific tank conditions.

Aquarium Setup and Care

• Tank Size: Exodon Bucktooth Tetras should be kept in a minimum 55-gallon (208-liter) aquarium, especially if you plan to keep them in a large group, which is recommended to minimize aggression. A larger tank will also accommodate their active swimming behavior.
• Water Parameters:
  • Temperature: 74-82°F (23-28°C)
  • pH: 6.0-7.5 (slightly acidic to neutral)
  • Water hardness: 5-15 dGH

Like most tetras, Exodon Bucktooth Tetras prefer clean, well-oxygenated water. A strong filtration system with good water circulation is necessary to replicate their natural habitat and keep the water pristine. A powerhead or additional aeration is recommended to simulate the fast-moving waters they are accustomed to.

• Aquascape: When setting up a tank for Exodon Bucktooth Tetras, aim to replicate their natural environment. Use a sandy or fine gravel substrate with plenty of rocks, driftwood, and aquatic plants to provide hiding spots and break up the line of sight. Hardy plants like Anubias, Java Fern, and Amazon Swords can be used, but be prepared for the tetras to nip at the foliage.

Provide plenty of open swimming space as these tetras are highly active and need room to dart around the tank. You should also consider adding dim lighting or floating plants to reduce stress and simulate the dappled light of their natural rivers.

Feeding

The Exodon Bucktooth Tetra is primarily a carnivore and has developed a highly predatory feeding style. In the wild, these fish feed on insects, small invertebrates, and even scales or fins of other fish. In captivity, their diet should consist of high-protein foods to meet their dietary needs.

Recommended foods include:

• Live or frozen foods such as bloodworms, brine shrimp, and daphnia
• High-quality carnivorous pellets or flakes
• Occasional feedings of chopped fish, shrimp, or insects

Avoid giving them plant-based foods or low-quality flake food, as they will not thrive on these. It’s important to feed them multiple times a day, as they are voracious eaters and benefit from smaller, frequent meals.

Temperament and Behavior

Exodon Bucktooth Tetras are highly aggressive and are best kept in large schools to mitigate their tendency to harass and attack other fish. When kept in small groups, they tend to turn on each other or bully other tank mates. However, when kept in larger numbers (10 or more), their aggression is more evenly distributed among the group, reducing the likelihood of serious injury.

It’s important to note that these fish are fin nippers, and they will not hesitate to bite or tear at other fish, even those much larger than themselves. They are known to engage in “scale-eating” behavior, where they nip the scales or fins off other fish. This aggressive behavior makes them unsuitable for community tanks with peaceful species or fish with long, flowing fins.

Best Tank Mates for Exodon Bucktooth Tetra

Due to their aggressive nature, the Exodon Bucktooth Tetra is best kept in a species-only tank. However, if you are determined to keep them with other fish, you should choose tank mates that are large, fast-swimming, and robust enough to defend themselves. Ideal tank mates include:

• Larger tetras like Buenos Aires Tetras or Serpae Tetras
• Fast-swimming barbs such as Tiger Barbs
• Large catfish like Pictus Catfish or Plecos
• Cichlids like Convict Cichlids or Firemouth Cichlids

Avoid slow-moving fish, fish with long fins, or species that are easily bullied. Exodon Bucktooth Tetras are relentless in their pursuit of prey and are likely to harass or injure inappropriate tank mates.

Breeding

Breeding Exodon Bucktooth Tetras in captivity can be challenging but not impossible. These fish are egg scatterers, meaning they lay their eggs in open water, with no parental care after spawning. To encourage breeding:

1. Set up a separate breeding tank with soft, slightly acidic water (pH around 6.0-6.5).
2. Condition the fish with live or frozen foods.
3. Increase the temperature slightly to around 80°F (27°C).
4. Use fine-leaved plants or spawning mops to provide a place for the fish to scatter their eggs.

Once spawning occurs, it’s crucial to remove the adults, as they will eat the eggs. The eggs will hatch in 24-36 hours, and the fry can be fed infusoria or finely crushed flake food until they are large enough to eat brine shrimp nauplii.

Conclusion

The Exodon Bucktooth Tetra is a unique and exciting species that stands out for its aggressive behavior and predatory feeding habits. While not suitable for every aquarist, they make a captivating addition to a species-only tank or a carefully selected community of fast, robust fish. With their striking silver and red appearance and their energetic, bold personality, the Exodon Bucktooth Tetra can provide a truly one-of-a-kind aquarium experience.

If you are up for the challenge, providing them with a well-maintained, spacious environment, a protein-rich diet, and carefully chosen tank mates will ensure that your Exodon Bucktooth Tetras thrive in your aquarium.