Buenos Aires Tetra (Hyphessobrycon anisitsi) Care Guide
A hardy, active tetra with a silver body and a distinctive red tail fin. Known for being a plant nipper, so not ideal for heavily planted tanks.
Compiled by Aquairi from published sources · Published · Updated
Overview
Hyphessobrycon anisitsi is a species in the family Characidae. A hardy, active tetra with a silver body and a distinctive red tail fin. Known for being a plant nipper, so not ideal for heavily planted tanks. Very tolerant of a wide range of water conditions and temperatures.
Taxonomy
- Family: Characidae
- Genus: Hyphessobrycon
- Scientific name: Hyphessobrycon anisitsi
- Origin: South America, Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay
Habitat
Native to the Paraná, Paraguay and Uruguay basins of southern Brazil, Argentina, Paraguay and Uruguay. Inhabits subtropical streams and tolerates cooler temperatures than most tropical tetras. A hardy, fast-growing characin known to nibble soft aquarium plants.
Tank requirements
- Minimum tank volume: 80 L
- Temperature: 18-28 °C
- pH: 6-8
- GH: 5-20 °dGH
- Water flow: moderate
- Adult size: 5-7 cm
- Lifespan: 3-6 years
- Recommended group size: ≥ 6
- Difficulty: beginner
Diet
Classified as omnivore. Recommended feeding frequency: 2x daily. In captivity, offer a varied diet appropriate to the species — quality prepared foods supplemented with frozen or live items of suitable size.
Compatibility
- Temperament: peaceful
- Swimming level: middle
- Compatible tank mates: Tiger Barb, Corydoras, Bristlenose Pleco, Swordtail
- Avoid with: Betta, Slow Long-Finned Fish
Breeding
- Breeding strategy: egg-scatterer
- Breeding difficulty: beginner
Buenos Aires Tetra Breeding Guide
Overview
Hyphessobrycon anisitsi is a hardy characid widespread through the Rio de la Plata basin in Argentina, Paraguay, Uruguay and southeastern Brazil. It is an egg-scattering free spawner that exhibits no parental care and is regarded as an easy fish to breed.
Sexing
Sexually mature males are noticeably more intensely coloured, slimmer-bodied and remain a little smaller than females. Females are fuller-bodied, especially when carrying eggs.
Conditioning
Adults can be conditioned together in the main aquarium on a varied diet. Females should appear well filled with eggs before being moved to the spawning tank.
Breeding Setup
Prepare a separate breeding aquarium with mature water, very dim lighting, and slightly acidic to neutral pH at a temperature within the maintenance range of 16-28 °C. Cover the base with mesh, plastic grass matting, glass marbles, or fine-leaved plants such as Taxiphyllum or spawning mops so that eggs fall out of reach of the adults. Add an air-powered sponge filter or air stone for gentle oxygenation.
Spawning Behavior & Trigger
Introduce one or two males with several well-conditioned females. Spawning normally occurs for 2-4 hours, and a well-conditioned mature female may lay as many as 2000 eggs during this period. Eggs are usually visible the following morning.
Egg & Fry Care
Remove the adults once spawning ends, as they will consume the eggs. Eggs normally hatch in about 24 hours, and over the next three to four days the fry absorb their yolk sacs before becoming free-swimming. Start with Paramecium or a proprietary dry food of 5-50 micron grade, then move on to Artemia nauplii and microworm as the fry grow.