Species description

Care, breeding and tankmates

Fish profile

Temperament

Semi-aggressive

They are hyperactive, highly aggressive, and relentlessly predatory towards anything they perceive as food or competition. Their schooling behavior is chaotic and primarily serves to distract from their constant infighting. Despite their beautiful appearance, they are strictly not suitable for any community aquarium.

Diet

Omnivore

They are primarily carnivorous, feeding heavily on insects, small crustaceans, and the scales of other fish in the wild. In captivity, they eagerly devour high-quality carnivore flakes, frozen bloodworms, and chopped prawns. Ensure a varied diet to maintain their vibrant coloration and extreme energy levels.

Sex ratio

School

To disperse their intense intraspecific aggression, they must be kept in very large schools of at least twelve individuals. Keeping them in smaller numbers inevitably leads to the dominant fish systematically killing the weaker ones. The sex ratio is less important than maintaining a large overall group size.

Feeding frequency

Twice daily

Because of their hyperactive swimming, they should be fed two to three times daily. Frequent feedings help to somewhat curb their natural aggression towards one another. Offer only what they can consume in a few minutes in a frenzied feeding flurry.

Bioload

The Bucktooth tetra produces a surprisingly high bioload due to their hyperactive nature and voracious carnivorous diet. Strong biological and mechanical filtration is absolutely essential to maintain safe water parameters. Regular weekly water changes are highly recommended to prevent the buildup of organic waste.

Flow

Stagnant

They originate from heavily flowing rivers and actively appreciate strong, oxygenated water movement. A powerful filter return or added powerhead will stimulate their natural schooling behavior and keep them occupied. Adequate flow also helps keep their densely populated tanks clean from uneaten food.

Reproduction

Oviparous

Captive breeding is very rarely achieved due to their extreme hyperactivity and constant egg-eating habits. They are egg-scatterers that provide no parental care whatsoever. To breed them, a separate, heavily planted spawning tank with a mesh bottom is strictly required.

Compatibility & tankmates

They are notoriously vicious fin-nippers and specialized scale-eaters that will relentlessly attack almost any tank mate. They are best kept in a dedicated, large species-only aquarium to avoid inevitable casualties. Even armored catfish or fast-swimming species are not safe from their constant harassment.

Tank level

Top/Middle

They are exceptionally active swimmers that will aggressively utilize the entire middle and upper levels of the water column. They rarely settle down and are constantly on the move, scanning for food or skirmishes. A long aquarium with plenty of open swimming space is absolutely necessary.