Exodons
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Bucktoothed Tetra
AKA: Exodon Tetra
Exodon paradoxus (Muller & Troschel, 1845)
Temperment: Aggresive
Sociability: Groups
Min. Tank: 30 Gallons
Availability: Common
Area: Middle
The Bucktoothed Tetra is a unique and beautiful shoaling Characin from tropical South American rivers and tributaries.
The body shape is typical of all tetras, except the jaws and teeth are heavier and more well-developed. The coloring and pattern are striking and unusual. There are 2 pairs of huge, black occellatus spots - one covering the caudal penduncle, and one just under the upper-back. The rest of the body is white-silver which is tanged with either violet-blue or violet-red. The fins are often pigmented with red or yellow.
These fish shoal in groups of no less than a dozen and no more than 50. Larger schools are often comprised of younger fish. Insatiable insectivores, they will tear apart any invertebrate unfortunate enough to fall in the water or get in their way. The jaws are strong enough, and the teeth (particularly the enscissors) sharp enough to bite a clean hole out of most organisms. A nip from a larger individual is capable of drawing blood.
In the aquarium, bucktoothed tetras are best kept with other large characins, such as silver dollars and red-tailed characins. Catfish of all sizes also make good tankmates. They can only be kept with each other in groups of more than ten. If kept in groups smaller, there will be plenty of fighting and you will end up with a bunch of bucktoothed tetras missing fins and eyes. They damage fairly easily, so very aggressive tankmates are out of the question. An aquarium of 50 gallons designated to a shoal is the best way to go. They might even breed in this sort of situation.
Give them food, and lots of it, in the form of live insects and worms. They require plentiful amounts (to put it in prospective, a 2" specimen can completely devour a full grown cricket bite by bite). Live fish are also avidly eaten. Once in a while it is good to give them vegetable matter in the form of oatmeal, or cucumber. The aquarium should have plenty of swimming space and areas of cover and shade. Do not keep these fish with other fish smaller than half their size, for they will surely be eaten bite by bite.
These Characins have no special requirements when it comes to water conditions. A neutral pH and common water temperature will suffice. They are hardy fish that thrive under most conditions.
Breeding has only been accomplished several times in captivity and details are sketchy.
Family:
Characidae
Type:
Characins
Distribution:
Northern Brazil and the Guyanas
Max Size:
6"
pH:
Neutral
Temperature:
72-82° F.
Diet:
Carnivorous
Breeding:
Expert
AKA: Exodon Tetra
Exodon paradoxus (Muller & Troschel, 1845)
Temperment: Aggresive
Sociability: Groups
Min. Tank: 30 Gallons
Availability: Common
Area: Middle
The Bucktoothed Tetra is a unique and beautiful shoaling Characin from tropical South American rivers and tributaries.
The body shape is typical of all tetras, except the jaws and teeth are heavier and more well-developed. The coloring and pattern are striking and unusual. There are 2 pairs of huge, black occellatus spots - one covering the caudal penduncle, and one just under the upper-back. The rest of the body is white-silver which is tanged with either violet-blue or violet-red. The fins are often pigmented with red or yellow.
These fish shoal in groups of no less than a dozen and no more than 50. Larger schools are often comprised of younger fish. Insatiable insectivores, they will tear apart any invertebrate unfortunate enough to fall in the water or get in their way. The jaws are strong enough, and the teeth (particularly the enscissors) sharp enough to bite a clean hole out of most organisms. A nip from a larger individual is capable of drawing blood.
In the aquarium, bucktoothed tetras are best kept with other large characins, such as silver dollars and red-tailed characins. Catfish of all sizes also make good tankmates. They can only be kept with each other in groups of more than ten. If kept in groups smaller, there will be plenty of fighting and you will end up with a bunch of bucktoothed tetras missing fins and eyes. They damage fairly easily, so very aggressive tankmates are out of the question. An aquarium of 50 gallons designated to a shoal is the best way to go. They might even breed in this sort of situation.
Give them food, and lots of it, in the form of live insects and worms. They require plentiful amounts (to put it in prospective, a 2" specimen can completely devour a full grown cricket bite by bite). Live fish are also avidly eaten. Once in a while it is good to give them vegetable matter in the form of oatmeal, or cucumber. The aquarium should have plenty of swimming space and areas of cover and shade. Do not keep these fish with other fish smaller than half their size, for they will surely be eaten bite by bite.
These Characins have no special requirements when it comes to water conditions. A neutral pH and common water temperature will suffice. They are hardy fish that thrive under most conditions.
Breeding has only been accomplished several times in captivity and details are sketchy.
Family:
Characidae
Type:
Characins
Distribution:
Northern Brazil and the Guyanas
Max Size:
6"
pH:
Neutral
Temperature:
72-82° F.
Diet:
Carnivorous
Breeding:
Expert
WOOOOT, ty for the info, so does this mean that i'd be able to keep like 11 in a 29 gallon? Or can I fit the 12? lol, actually I have to make sure my lfs even have them first, but I really want these fish.
Well what I gathered from it is that they need 30 gallons minimum or 29 in your case I'm sure is fine. They need do best in groups of 12 or more. But a group of that size would do best in a 50 gallon. You can always upgrade later.
MMM, I really wanted these fish because of their attitude, I don't know how well I would be able to upgrade or even if my parents would allow me to get any other fishtanks... Thanks for the info though 
30 gallon minimum for 1 fish
in a 29 the correct stocking rate would be 4-5 but they will constanly fight with each other you really need a larger tank to keep a doven a 125 would be adequit
so its one or a chance of only having one left after it kills the rest
in a 29 the correct stocking rate would be 4-5 but they will constanly fight with each other you really need a larger tank to keep a doven a 125 would be adequit
so its one or a chance of only having one left after it kills the rest
MMMM, do you guys know, I already asked for monsters in another thread, but are there any fish like exodons, agression wise, that are smaller and are able to keep a group of in the 29 gallon for life?
yourmylunch said:
I had 12 in a 29 gallon exactly what you are trying to accomplish. All the info people have given has been right on. Mine grew probably 3/4" in six months. Got them at about 2-3". You definately wouldn't be able to keep them in the 29 for their entire life but they would be fine for a while in there. I have never seen any even close to the six inch mark. They ate a variety of foods and were not picky eaters. I noticed pretty much zero agression between the shoal. Good luck with the fish