Buenos Aires Tetra

Buenos Aires Tetra - Coloring

Buenos Aires Tetra

The Buenos Aires Tetra originates from the Parana and Uruguay River basins. This is in the region of Buenos Aires, Argentina. They are known by the scientific name Hemigrammus caudovittatus and by Hyphessobrycon anisitsi. Buenos Aires Tetras are one of the hardiest tetras and are easy to keep but are not a favorite of plant lovers, because they love to eat plants. Buenos Aires Tetras have a clear body with a thin blue line through from the gills to the caudal fin. The caudal and lower fins have an orange tint. There is a dark area at the base of the caudal fin. Coloring is brighter during spawning. There is also an Albino Buenos Aires Tetra variety.

Albino Buenos Aires Tetra

Buenos Aires Tetra - Compatibility

Buenos Aires Tetras are one of the more aggressive tetras and they will nip fins. They should be kept with aggressive larger tetras, such as the Blind Cave Tetra, the Colombian Tetra, the Serpae Tetra and the Silver Tip Tetra. Buenos Aires Tetras are definitely not good companions for smaller tetras and guppies. They should be kept in groups of at least 6 to reduce aggression.

The Buenos Aires Tetra is compatible with the Blind Cave Tetra, Corydoras Catfish, Mollies, Platies, Plecostomus, Serpae Tetra, Silver Tip Tetra, Swordtails, Zebra Danio

The Buenos Aires Tetra is also suggested as a good dither fish for Oscars, Pacus, or Jack Dempseys to chase. Not a great life for a Buenos Aires Tetra though.

Buenos Aires Tetra - Aquarium Setup

Buenos Aires Tetras need lots of open swimming space, as they are very active. Rocks and driftwood will be appreciated. Plants should be plastic unless you intend them to be eaten, though Java Fern may survive. Buenos Aires Tetras should not be kept with slow feeding fish, as they will prevent the slower fish from obtaining food. They will eat high quality flake food, freeze dried bloodworms, tubifex and pellets. Buenos Aires Tetras love live brine shrimp.

Buenos Aires Tetra - Breeding

Typical of most tetras, the females have larger and broader bodies. For breeding, an area of bushy plants should be provided in a separate tank where the water level has been greatly reduced. Slightly acidic water is best. Eggs will be scattered through the plants. The parents should be removed after spawning. The eggs will hatch in a couple of days and the fry will be ready for brine shrimp and finely ground flake foods within a week.

Buenos Aires Tetra - Profile

• Scientific Name: Hemigrammus caudovittatus

• Family: Characin

• Temperature: 22 - 28 C; 77 - 82 F

• pH: 6.0 - 8.0

• Size: 5 cm; 2 inches

• Life Span: 5 years

• Breeding: Normal, Egg Layer