Buenos Aires Tetra Care Guide (Hyphessobrycon anisitsi)
Appearance and Behavior
- Coloration: The body is a shimmering metallic silver with a distinct black, diamond-shaped spot on its flank near the tail base. The caudal (tail), anal, and pelvic fins are tipped with bright red-orange pigment.
- Hardiness: Historically known as one of the hardiest tetras due to its adaptability to a wide range of temperatures and water conditions.
- Activity: They are fast, active, mid-water swimmers and excellent schoolers.
- Caution: Plant-Eaters: They are notorious for nipping and eating soft-leaved live plants. If keeping live plants, choose only very robust species like Anubias or Java Fern.
- Caution: Fin-Nipping: They are boisterous and prone to nipping the fins of slow-moving or long-finned tank mates, especially when kept in small groups.
Tank Requirements and Water Parameters
- Minimum Tank Size: 30 gallons is recommended for a healthy school. A long tank (36 inches+) is ideal to accommodate their energy.
- Schooling: Keep them in schools of at least 8–10 individuals. A larger group helps to diffuse their aggression among themselves and away from other species.
- Temperature: Wide range, even tolerating cooler temperatures: 64°–82° F (18°–28° C). Maintaining the mid-70s is typical for community tanks.
- pH Level: Highly adaptable: 5.8 to 8.5. They are not fussy about hard water.
- Aquascape: Focus on open swimming space. Use hardscape (driftwood, rocks) and robust, tough-leaved plants for decoration and security. A secure lid is essential as they are known jumpers.
Diet and Feeding
The Buenos Aires Tetra is a highly active omnivorous fish with a significant appetite for vegetable matter.
- Staple Diet: High-quality flakes and small pellets.
- Essential Diet: To curb their desire to eat live plants, their diet must include ample vegetable matter: Spirulina flakes, and fresh blanched veggies like spinach or zucchini.
- Supplementation: Offer frozen or live meaty foods regularly: Bloodworms and Brine Shrimp.





Reviews
There are no reviews yet.