Bucktooth Tetra
Exodon paradoxus
Family: Characidae • Origin: Various
Bucktooth Tetra (Exodon paradoxus) is a aggressive tetra reaching 6 inches. Keep in groups of 12+. Minimum tank: 40 gallons.
Min Tank
40 gal
Max Size
6"
Temperature
72-82°F
pH
6-7.5
Lifespan
9 years
School Size
12+
Swim Level
middle
Hardness
5-15 dGH
aggressiveadvancedcarnivoreschooling
Care Tips
- • Max size: 6"
- • Temp: 72-82°F
- • pH: 6-7.5
- • Schooling: keep 12+
- • aggressive temperament
Feeding: Standard carnivore diet appropriate for Characidae.
Compatibility Notes: Typical aggressive Characidae species.
Tank Setup & Water Parameters
Tank Requirements
- Minimum Tank Size
- 40 gallons
- Recommended Tank Size
- 60 gallons
- Swimming Level
- middle
- Minimum School Size
- 12+ fish
Water Parameters
- Temperature
- 72–82°F
- pH Range
- 6–7.5
- Hardness (dGH)
- 5–15
- Water Type
- freshwater
Behavior & Temperament
- Temperament
- aggressive
- Aggression Level
- 4/5
- Schooling
- Yes
- Territorial
- Yes
- Fin Nipper
- No
- Predatory
- No
- Diet Type
- carnivore
- Growth Rate
- moderate
Typical aggressive Characidae species.
Breeding
- Breeding Type
- egg layer
- Breeding Difficulty
- difficult
- Lifespan
- 9 years
Ideal For
40 gallon
Compatible Tank Mates
View all →
Serpae Tetra
Hyphessobrycon eques
72-82°FpH 6-7.520+ gal
semi-aggressiveschooling 6+1.75"
Betta Fish
Betta splendens
76-82°FpH 6.5-7.55+ gal
semi-aggressive3"
Dwarf Gourami
Trichogaster lalius
72-82°FpH 6-7.510+ gal
semi-aggressive3.5"
Tiger Barb
Puntigrus tetrazona
74-82°FpH 6-7.520+ gal
semi-aggressiveschooling 6+3"
Angelfish
Pterophyllum scalare
76-84°FpH 6-7.530+ gal
semi-aggressive6"
Cockatoo Dwarf Cichlid
Apistogramma cacatuoides
72-82°FpH 6-7.520+ gal
semi-aggressive3.5"
Similar Species
Red Bellied Piranha
Pygocentrus nattereri
75-82°FpH 6-7.575+ gal
aggressiveschooling 4+12"
Salvini Cichlid
Cichlasoma salvini
75-82°FpH 6.5-7.540+ gal
aggressive8"
African Cichlid (Mbuna)
Pseudotropheus sp.
76-82°FpH 7.5-8.855+ gal
aggressive6"
Convict Cichlid
Amatitlania nigrofasciata
72-82°FpH 6.5-840+ gal
aggressive6"