Bucktooth tetra facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Bucktooth tetra |
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Scientific classification  |
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| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Actinopterygii |
| Order: | Characiformes |
| Family: | Characidae |
| Genus: | Exodon J. P. Müller & Troschel, 1844 |
| Species: |
E. paradoxus
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| Binomial name | |
| Exodon paradoxus J. P. Müller & Troschel, 1844
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| Synonyms | |
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Epicyrtus paradoxus |
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The bucktooth tetra (Exodon paradoxus) is a fascinating freshwater fish. It is the only type of fish in its special group, called the genus Exodon. This fish belongs to the characin family, which is known as Characidae. You can find the bucktooth tetra naturally in the Amazon Basin and in Guyana. Even though scientists first described this fish in 1845, it didn't become a popular pet in aquariums until 1932.
Contents
What Does the Bucktooth Tetra Look Like?
This fish has the usual long, sleek body shape of a tetra. It is light tan in color. You can easily spot two distinct black marks on its body. One black spot is located near its tail, and the other is just below its top fin, which is called the dorsal fin. The dorsal fin itself is a bright red color.
You might think the name "bucktooth" means it has big teeth sticking out. However, this fish actually shows no signs of having buckteeth. It grows to be about 12 centimeters (4.7 inches) long at its biggest size.
What Do Bucktooth Tetras Eat?
In their natural home, bucktooth tetras eat small invertebrates, which are tiny creatures without backbones. They also eat other small fish and some plants.
How Do Bucktooth Tetras Behave?
Bucktooth tetras are not always the best neighbors for other fish in an aquarium. They are known to eat smaller fish. They can also be a problem for larger fish because they are "lepidophages." This means they like to eat the scales of other fish!
Because of this unique eating habit, it's often best to keep bucktooth tetras by themselves. If you want to keep them with other fish, make sure the tank is very large. It should also have lots of plants and hiding spots. These hiding places give other fish a safe place to go.
Bucktooth tetras are happiest when they live in a group, called a shoal. It's best to have eight or more of them together. If there are fewer than eight, they might pick on each other. This can cause them a lot of stress, making them sick or even causing serious injuries. Despite their tricky behavior with other fish, bucktooth tetras are very tough. They can live for more than ten years in a home aquarium.
See also
- List of freshwater aquarium fish species
- In Spanish: Exodon paradoxus para niños
 | Stephanie Wilson |
 | Charles Bolden |
 | Ronald McNair |
 | Frederick D. Gregory |
