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Buenos Aires Tetra

By The Aquarium Calculators Editorial Team ·

Psalidodon anisitsi

Complete Buenos Aires Tetra care guide covering omnivore diet requirements, semi-aggressive temperament, minimum 20 Gallons tank setup, and compatible freshwater tankmates. Difficulty: Easy.

Buenos Aires Tetra

Quick Answer

Buenos Aires Tetra (Psalidodon anisitsi) is a robust, fast-swimming tetra from Argentina. It requires a minimum 20 Gallons aquarium with a pH of 6.5 - 7.5 and temperature range of 20-26°C. As a omnivore with semi-aggressive tendencies, careful tankmate selection is essential.

Intro

Buenos Aires Tetra (Psalidodon anisitsi) is a robust, fast-swimming tetra from Argentina. It has a green-gold body with red fins.

Setup

A 20-gallon or larger tank with robust plants (or plastic plants) because they eat soft-leaved plants. Open swimming space and moderate water flow.

Feeding

Omnivorous; eats flakes, pellets, frozen foods, and vegetable matter. They will devour soft plants, so supplement with spirulina or blanched veggies.

Compatibility

Semi-aggressive; may fin-nip slow fish. Keep in schools of 8+. Good with barbs, danios, rainbowfish, and larger tetras. Avoid long-finned fish like angelfish.

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Tank Position
Middle
Water Temp
20-26°C
Adult Size
See profile
Water pH
6.5 - 7.5

Species Characteristics

Adult Size
Lifespan
Growth Rate
moderate
Tank Compatibility
Community compatible
Indoor Aquarium
Yes

Water Parameters

Water Temperature
Humidity
Water pH

Tank Lighting

Tank Lighting
Standard lighting
Light Hours
N/A
Intensity
moderate

Feeding & Diet

Diet Type
Diet: Omnivore
Feeding Schedule
N/A
Live Food Options
N/A

Continue Learning

Recommended Tools

Fish Compatibility Calculator fish compatibility

Health & Disease

Ich (White Spot Disease) common disease • all fish

Related Guides

Understanding pH in Aquariums water parameters • ph

Similar Species

African Red Eyed Tetra Care Guide: Schooling & Tank Size semanticSimilarity Apistogramma Care Guide: Temperament & Diet semanticSimilarity Banded Corydoras Care Guide: Substrate & Diet semanticSimilarity

Frequently Asked Questions

How many Buenos Aires Tetras should be kept together?
Maintain a minimum school of 8 to 12 individuals in a tank of at least 30 gallons (113 liters) with a footprint of 36x12 inches (90x30 cm). Buenos Aires tetras (Psalidodon anisitsi) are boisterous, fast-swimming fish that exhibit fin-nipping when kept in groups under 6. A school of 15+ reduces intra-species aggression. Avoid long-finned tank mates (angelfish, guppies, bettas). Provide open swimming lanes with robust plants (Java fern, Anubias) as they will eat soft-leaved plants (Ludwigia, Cabomba). Tank length must exceed 30 inches (75 cm) to prevent territorial chasing.
What are the exact water parameters for Buenos Aires Tetras?
Target pH 6.5 - 7.5, General Hardness 5 - 15 dGH, Carbonate Hardness 4 - 10 dKH, Total Dissolved Solids 150 - 400 ppm, Electrical Conductivity 300 - 800 μS/cm, and temperature 64°F - 82°F (18°C - 28°C). They are exceptionally hardy and tolerate cool water (down to 60°F/15°C) but prefer stable conditions. Maintain nitrates below 25 ppm with weekly 20% water changes. Use a canister filter with moderate to high flow. Hardness below 3 dGH causes clamped fins. Avoid sudden temperature drops >5°F (3°C).
What is the dietary and medication protocol for Buenos Aires Tetras?
They are enthusiastic omnivores requiring 40% protein, 10% fat, 50% plant matter. Feed high-quality tropical flakes, sinking pellets, freeze-dried krill, and frozen bloodworms twice daily. Offer blanched zucchini, spinach, and nori sheets daily to satisfy their plant-eating tendencies. They will decimate soft-leaved aquarium plants. Medication alert: Tolerate copper (0.2 mg/L) and formalin. Praziquantel is safe. Salt baths up to 5 ppt for 15 minutes treat external parasites. Quarantine with methylene blue (2 mg/L) for fungal infections.
How to breed Buenos Aires Tetras in captivity?
Select 10-12 mature fish (1 year old) and condition with live blackworms and spirulina flakes for 2 weeks. Set up a 20-gallon (75 liter) breeding tank with 5 inches (12 cm) of water (pH 6.8, dGH 6, 75°F/24°C), a spawning mop, and dim light. Simulate dawn over 30 minutes. Spawning occurs in early morning; female lays 500-1000 adhesive eggs. Remove parents after 4 hours. Eggs hatch in 24-36 hours at 75°F (24°C). Fry are 0.08 inches (2 mm); feed infusoria for 3 days, then microworms, then baby brine shrimp after day 7. Raise fry in dark for first 5 days.

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