Buck Tooth Tetra Exodon Paradoxus 5cm
Image for illustration purposes only. Exact colours, patterns, and size may vary between individuals.
Delivered alive, guaranteed
Live fish delivery is £20 per order, delivered Thursday, Friday or Saturday, arriving before 1:00pm on the day you choose at checkout. Packed by aquatic specialists and shipped overnight with a dedicated livestock courier, every fish is covered by our Live Arrival Guarantee with automatic refunds. See How Live Fish Delivery Works for full details.
When will my fish arrive?
| Order placed | Delivery day |
|---|---|
| Up to Monday 11:00am | Thursday (that week) |
| Monday after 11:00am – Tuesday 11:00am | Friday (that week) |
| Tuesday after 11:00am – Wednesday 11:00am | Saturday (that week) |
| Wednesday after 11:00am – Sunday (any time) | Thursday (following week) |
Overview
The Bucktooth Tetra is a silver, torpedo-shaped characin with red-tinted fins, two black body spots and outward-pointing teeth built for stripping scales. It is a hyperactive, relentless pack hunter that never stops moving, rather than a community tetra. Native to the Brazilian Amazon and Guyana, it suits experienced keepers wanting a piranha-like shoal in a species tank.
- Adult Size: Around 12–15 cm (5–6 in)
- Lifespan: 8–10 years
Origin
- Native to: Brazilian Amazon and Rio Branco, Guyana
- Habitat: Sandy river stretches through open grassland, moderate flow
Feeding
- Diet: Carnivorous, scale eater
- Preferred Foods: Bloodworm, chopped prawn, mussel, earthworm, lancefish, carnivore pellets
- Feeding Habits: Feed once daily; spread food across the tank so the pack does not fight
Tank Mates
- Best with: Its own species only, in a large shoal; possibly armoured plecs
- Avoid: Any silver or shiny fish, slow or long-finned fish, anything smaller
Aggression & Behaviour
- Temperament: Highly aggressive, hyperactive, attacks tank mates for scales
- Territoriality: Constant pack squabbles; weak or injured individuals are cannibalised
Experience Level
- Difficulty: Intermediate to Advanced
- Challenges: Needs a big group, a large species tank and generous feeding
Water Parameters
- Water Type: Freshwater, soft to moderately hard
- Temperature: 23–28°C (73–82°F)
- pH: 5.5–7.5
- Hardness: 0–20 dGH
- Flow: Moderate to strong
- Tank Size: Minimum 250 litres; 120 cm long for a dozen; far larger for big shoals
Final Notes
Buy a large group, ideally twelve or more and preferably far larger, because small groups pick each other off. They are not community fish and will shred silver tank mates. Sand, open swimming space and strong filtration suit their constant activity. Males are slimmer with slightly longer dorsal and anal rays. Breeding is rare in aquaria. A big, well-fed pack racing around a large tank is a spectacular sight.
Please Note
The livestock that is sold on our online site is not held in store at our Birchwood Aquatic Centre shop. Species sold at the Birchwood Aquatic Centre physical store may differ from ones available to order to your door.
Frequently Asked Questions
In insulated boxes designed for live transport, packed by aquatic specialists,
overnight with a licensed live-animal courier, arriving before 1pm.
It is covered by our Live Arrival Guarantee.
Photograph it within 4 hours of delivery, email info@birchwoodaquaticcentre.co.uk with your order number, and the refund is processed automatically. The cover continues for 7 days after arrival.
Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday. You pick your day at checkout; please choose a day someone is home.
Yes. One basket, one checkout; the fish arrive with the specialist courier and the rest of your order ships as normal.
We can deliver to UK mainland only for live fish.
Follow the five-minute acclimatisation steps in our When Your Fish Arrive guide: float the bags, add tank water gradually, net the fish in, lights low, feed tomorrow.