Buenos Aires Tetra

Found in the La Plata region of South America, the Buenos Aires Tetra was first described by Ahl in 1923 as the Hemigrammus caudovittatus. This is one of the more active Tetras and can become a bit of a fin nipper if kept with smaller fish. Growing to about 3 inches in length, the Buenos Aires Tetra has a silver body with a black vertical stripe just behind the gill plate and a black streak at the base of the tail. The fins have a touch of yellow and red coloration, with the males showing more intense colors. This Tetra will eat plants so care should be taken if placed in a Planted Aquarium. Tetras are one of the standard fish of the aquarium. Schooling fish, they will do best when there are more than 3 fish in the school. Generally peaceful, they can match up with just about any other type of fish that is not large enough to eat them. While the Tetra might prefer softer, acidic water conditions, most can adapt to a wide range of water parameters. Most are now raised in Florida and SE Asia under conditions very different than their natural habitat in South America. As an omnivore, Tetras will eat most aquarium prepared foods, darting to the surface for floating food and picking sinking food out of the water as it descends. They will be more at home if there is a fair amount of cover to dart into if they feel threatened. While it is possible, most Tetras will not spawn in the home aquarium. If they do, several males will chase the female as she scatters the eggs among the plants. Relatively hardy, care should be taken when treating Tetras with parasitic medications.

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