Easy
Ember Tetra (Hyphessobrycon amandae)
24–28°C · pH 5.5–7 · 30L
£3.99
Bright, hardy Buenos Aires Tetra (Hemigrammus caudovittatus / Hyphessobrycon anisitsi) for sale in the UK — a fast, silver-bodied shoaling tetra with red fin accents, ideal for spacious community aquariums. Easy to keep, broad temperature tolerance, full care guidance included. Order now with UK delivery.
Adult size is the maximum length this species reaches at full maturity (scientific sources). The livestock you receive will be younger and smaller — pick a size variant above for the actual shipping size. Photos are AI-enhanced, so the animal may show subtle colour or marking differences.
Hemigrammus caudovittatus
Buenos Aires Tetra are a shoaling species — they need 6+ to feel safe and show their full colour.
Bright, hardy Buenos Aires Tetra (Hemigrammus caudovittatus / Hyphessobrycon anisitsi) for sale in the UK — a fast, silver-bodied shoaling tetra with red fin accents, ideal for spacious community aquariums. Easy to keep, broad temperature tolerance, full care guidance included. Order now with UK delivery.
Adult size is the maximum length this species reaches at full maturity (scientific sources). The livestock you receive will be younger and smaller — pick a size variant above for the actual shipping size. Photos are AI-enhanced, so the animal may show subtle colour or marking differences.
Maintain these water conditions for optimal health and vibrant colors
The Buenos Aires Tetra is one of the toughest and most underrated schooling fish in the freshwater hobby. Our records list this fish under the historical name Hemigrammus caudovittatus; in most aquarium literature it is known as Hyphessobrycon anisitsi, and the currently accepted scientific name is Psalidodon anisitsi. All three names refer to the same South American tetra — only the genus has been reassigned over the years. This lively fish combines a bright silver body, red-tipped fins and fast, confident swimming that instantly brings movement to a freshwater aquarium. If you are researching how to care for Buenos Aires tetra, it is one of the best Buenos Aires tetra for beginners choices because it tolerates a far wider range of conditions than most delicate tetras. Adult Buenos Aires tetra size is usually around 6–7 cm, they live for roughly 5 years, and they do best in groups where their natural schooling behaviour shows. A sensible Buenos Aires tetra tank size starts at 80 litres, with a stable Buenos Aires tetra temperature of 18–28°C and a Buenos Aires tetra aquarium setup built around open swimming space rather than soft plants they may nibble. For fishkeepers wanting a hardy, active tetra with real personality, the Buenos Aires offers excellent value, visible schooling behaviour and a strong fit for medium-sized UK community aquariums.
The Buenos Aires tetra has long been a staple South American aquarium fish thanks to its durability, strong appetite and bold schooling behaviour. It sits among the larger, more robust tetras, which makes it a different proposition from delicate nano species. That difference matters when you plan stocking, feeding and compatibility.
The Buenos Aires tetra habitat is in South America, particularly the river systems of Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay and Uruguay. The fish takes its common name from the wider region, but in aquarium terms the key point is that it comes from subtropical to warm freshwater environments rather than any single location. That origin is exactly why the species tolerates cooler water than most tropical tetras.
In the wild this is an adaptable shoaling fish found in streams, tributaries, floodplain margins and vegetated waters. The natural tetra fish habitat for this species includes seasonal variation, moderate current and plenty of small drifting food items. Unlike very soft-water blackwater fish, Buenos Aires tetras are not demanding, which is one reason they suit aquarists who find strict, low-pH conditions hard to reproduce.
Wild feeding behaviour includes browsing on insect larvae, small crustaceans, plant matter and organic debris. This is why a balanced Buenos Aires tetra diet in captivity should include both protein and vegetable content. Compared with fussier characins, the Buenos Aires tetra is far more opportunistic and far less particular about its surroundings.
Its native subtropical climate also explains its broad temperature tolerance. The species stands out because it can thrive in cooler community aquariums where many other tetras would lose colour or activity. That flexibility makes it genuinely useful in mixed tetra displays and larger peaceful setups.
Recreating the natural habitat does not mean copying every wild detail. For Buenos Aires tetras, focus on open swimming lanes, steady filtration, a group of at least six and a varied omnivore diet. Those four factors improve colour, reduce fin nipping and bring out the fast schooling behaviour people buy this fish for.
A good Buenos Aires tetra tank setup starts with one fact: this is not a tiny nano tetra. The realistic Buenos Aires tetra minimum tank size is 80 litres, but a larger aquarium of 100–120 litres is better for a proper school and calmer group dynamics. Because they are bigger, faster and more assertive than many community characins, they need more room than the average small tetra. If you are working from general tetra fish minimum tank size or tetra fish tank size advice, size up for this species rather than down.
Keep at least 6 fish, though 8–10 is usually better. If you are asking how many Buenos Aires tetra in a tank, a practical guide is 6 in 80 litres, 8–10 in 100–120 litres, and larger groups only in longer aquariums with strong filtration. A cramped group is far more likely to chase and nip, which is why a thoughtful Buenos Aires tetra aquarium setup matters more than simply meeting the minimum volume.
The ideal Buenos Aires tetra water temperature sits comfortably between 20 and 24°C for most home aquariums, while the full safe Buenos Aires tetra temperature range is 18–28°C. pH can run from 6.0 to 8.0 and hardness from 5 to 25 dGH. By the standards of most tetras this is an unusually wide tolerance, so if you have only kept fussier species before, you will find this one forgiving.
Use a reliable filter that turns the tank over around 5–8 times per hour. These fish are energetic and produce more waste than tiny tetras, so a quality external or hang-on-back filter helps keep oxygen high and water clear. Buenos Aires tetras appreciate moderate flow, especially in longer tanks where they can swim into the current. In mixed displays this also supports cleaner, more stable conditions than a basic tetra fish aquarium setup usually provides.
Dark sand or fine gravel helps the silver body and red fins stand out. Use wood, smooth stones and hardy decor to break up sight lines. If you enjoy planted aquariums, note that a Buenos Aires tetra in planted tank setup can be tricky because they often nibble soft leaves. Tough species such as Anubias, Java fern and larger Vallisneria are far safer than delicate stem plants. This is not the best fish if your main goal is a lush aquascape full of tender foliage.
Moderate lighting for 7–9 hours per day works well. Harsh, over-bright light can make the fish look washed out and nervous. Remember that Buenos Aires tetras want open swimming room and tough planting choices: their setup is about movement and resilience rather than dense, delicate planting.
Always cycle the tank for 4–6 weeks before adding fish. Even hardy species suffer in immature aquariums. Stable ammonia and nitrite at zero matter far more than chasing tiny pH adjustments.
The best Buenos Aires tetra feeding guide starts with one simple fact: this is an active omnivore. A complete Buenos Aires tetra diet should include quality flakes or micro pellets, frozen foods and some vegetable matter. The answer to what is tetra fish food is not a single product — a good tetra fish diet combines staple dry food with variety.
In day-to-day care, Buenos Aires tetra feeding is easy. Offer a high-quality flake or small pellet once or twice daily, then rotate in frozen daphnia, brine shrimp, bloodworm or finely chopped vegetable-based foods several times a week. When people ask what tetra fish eat, what to feed tetra fish or when to feed tetra fish, the answer for this species is a mixed omnivore menu with enough roughage to reduce plant nibbling. Standard tetra fish food flakes make a fine base, but variety brings out the best colour and condition.
A practical feeding rhythm is small portions, once or twice daily, offering only what the school clears in under two minutes. Buenos Aires tetras are enthusiastic, reliable feeders. If you ever notice tetra fish not eating, check for stress, bullying, poor water quality, recent transport or disease before changing foods — healthy Buenos Aires tetras rarely refuse a meal.
| Time | Food | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Morning | Quality flakes or micro pellets | Only what the school clears in 1-2 minutes |
| Evening | Frozen food or vegetable-rich flakes | Small second feed, 2-4 times weekly |
Use a balanced staple flake or pellet, then add frozen foods for conditioning, colour and breeding preparation.
Overfeeding causes ammonia spikes, cloudy water and digestive stress. Remove uneaten food promptly, especially in newly set up tanks where the filter bacteria are still maturing.
The adult Buenos Aires tetra size is larger than many people expect from a tetra, usually reaching 6–7 cm in the aquarium. The body is silver to metallic with a reflective sheen that can flash greenish or bluish depending on lighting. Red accents appear on the caudal, anal and pelvic fins, and a dark marking near the tail base gives the species its very recognisable profile.
This fish is a good example of structural shine combined with pigment, which answers the common question of what gives tetras their colour. A good diet, low stress and darker surroundings all improve it. A case of a Buenos Aires tetra losing color usually points to stress, transport shock, bullying, old age or poor water quality rather than anything in the fish's genetics.
For sexing, the Buenos Aires tetra male vs female differences are subtle but useful. Females are usually deeper-bodied and fuller, especially when carrying eggs, while males tend to look slimmer and may show slightly sharper colour contrast in breeding condition. When learning to identify male and female tetras, body shape is generally more reliable than colour alone.
Hobbyists sometimes compare the Buenos Aires tetra with species such as the red eye tetra or the diamond tetra. It is not a tiny nano fish, so it looks its best in an active midwater school in a roomy tank, where its metallic body and red fins can be viewed from multiple angles. Our photos show the clean silver body, red highlights and dark tail marking that make this species stand out in larger community aquariums.
The biggest compatibility question is simple: are Buenos Aires tetra aggressive? The honest answer is that they are not predators, but they are active, semi-aggressive and capable of fin nipping. So are Buenos Aires tetras aggressive at times? Yes — especially in groups that are too small or tanks that are too cramped. If you are asking are Buenos Aires tetra aggressive to other fish, the risk is highest around slow, long-finned species.
The best Buenos Aires tetra tank mates are robust, similarly active community fish that can handle fast movement. Good Buenos Aires tetra compatible fish include other medium tetras, active bottom dwellers and some sturdier cichlids in larger aquariums. Chosen carefully, the Buenos Aires is among the best tetra for community tank stocking where everything else is equally robust.
Excellent companions include Diamond Tetras, X-Ray Tetras, Lemon Tetras, Glowlight Tetras, Emperor Tetras, and in larger peaceful displays the Bleeding Heart Tetra. If you want a softer, more delicate tetra look instead, Cardinal Tetras are beautiful, but they prefer warmer, calmer conditions than Buenos Aires tetras.
For specific pairings: housing Buenos Aires tetras with guppies is usually not ideal, because guppies have long fins and slower movement that invites nipping. The same caution applies to bettas. Long-finned angelfish are risky for the same reason. Goldfish are a clear no, given the major differences in temperature, feeding, waste load and behaviour. Some medium, non-predatory cichlids in larger tanks can work, which is why experienced keepers sometimes house Buenos Aires tetra with cichlids. As for invertebrates, small shrimp may be seen as food (especially juveniles), while snails are usually ignored. The albino Buenos Aires tetra follows exactly the same rules as the standard fish: choose active, sturdy companions and avoid trailing fins.
| Species | Compatible? | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Diamond Tetras | ✅ Yes | Similar size and activity level; works best in larger schools |
| Emperor Tetras | ⚠️ Caution | Possible in roomy tanks, but monitor for fin nipping |
| Bettas | ❌ Avoid | Long fins and slower movement make stress and nipping likely |
Always quarantine new arrivals for 2–4 weeks before adding them to a community tank. This reduces disease risk and also lets you judge temperament before mixing species.
Buenos Aires tetra breeding is considered easier than many other tetras, which makes this species a good introduction to egg-scattering characins. As a general approach tetra fish breeding follows a similar method, but Buenos Aires tetras are less fussy about water chemistry and often more willing to spawn in captivity.
Use a separate 30–45 litre breeding tank with fine-leaved plants, spawning mops or a mesh base so the eggs fall out of reach. Slightly acidic to neutral water helps, though this fish is not strict about it. Condition the adults with frozen foods and a varied omnivore diet for 1–2 weeks before pairing or group spawning.
Buenos Aires tetras usually spawn in the early morning after conditioning, often triggered by a cool water change and good live or frozen feeding. Males chase females, and the pair or group scatter adhesive eggs among plants or mops. The signs to watch for are fuller-bodied females, actively chasing males and a clear rise in group activity after conditioning.
Remove the adults after spawning, because they will eat both eggs and fry. Eggs generally hatch in about 24 hours and the fry become free-swimming after a further 3–4 days. This species follows the classic egg-scattering tetra pattern rather than guarding its eggs.
Start fry on infusoria, liquid fry food or very fine powdered food, then move to baby brine shrimp as they grow. Clean water and small daily changes are vital for good survival rates.
For higher fry survival, dim the breeding tank and use a dark base. Newly hatched tetra fry are light-sensitive, and reduced brightness often improves their early feeding response and lowers stress.
Choosing among tetra species is not just about colour. Tank size, plant safety, water temperature and temperament all matter. Buenos Aires tetras suit fishkeepers who want a hardy, visible, active school rather than a tiny, delicate display fish.
| Feature | Buenos Aires Tetra | Cardinal Tetra |
|---|---|---|
| Max Size | 7 cm | 5 cm |
| Care Level | Easy to moderate | Moderate |
| Temperature | 18-28°C | 24-28°C |
| Price | £2.91 | Varies |
| Best For | Hardy active community tanks | Warm planted displays |
| Feature | Buenos Aires Tetra | Diamond Tetra |
|---|---|---|
| Plant Safety | May nibble soft plants | Usually safer |
| Temperament | Semi-aggressive | Peaceful to mildly assertive |
| Visual Style | Silver with red fins | Glittering iridescent scales |
| Schooling Energy | High | Moderate |
| Best For | Hardy mixed tetra groups | Showpiece tetra communities |
Choose Buenos Aires tetras if you want a larger, tougher species with broad temperature tolerance and a strong feeding response. Choose Cardinal Tetras if you prefer warmer, calmer, more delicate colour contrast. Choose Diamond Tetras or X-Ray Tetras if your focus is a more peaceful display with less risk to plants and long fins. You can also browse our wider freshwater fish collection to round out the stocking plan with other community species.
Strong Buenos Aires tetra health starts with stable water, a proper group size and a varied diet. Signs of a healthy fish include clear eyes, full finnage, confident midwater swimming, a quick feeding response and bright silver-red colour. A fish hanging alone, fading, clamping its fins or gasping at the surface needs attention quickly.
Common Buenos Aires tetra diseases include whitespot (ich), bacterial fin damage after nipping, internal parasites and stress-related losses after transport or poor acclimation. The fundamentals of good tetra care are the same across species: clean water, quarantine and daily observation beat a medication-first approach in most cases.
Buenos Aires tetras are a hardy species, but any newly imported fish can carry pathogens, which is exactly why quarantine matters even here. Disease can spread through shared water, nets or stressed tank mates if biosecurity is poor, so keep new arrivals separate until they are settled.
Treatment depends on the problem. External parasites may respond to temperature-safe parasite treatments, while bacterial issues often improve with cleaner water, isolation and appropriate medication. Always check compatibility with your tank inhabitants before dosing, and take extra care if invertebrates are present.
NEVER use copper-based medications with invertebrates in the system. Copper can be lethal to shrimp and other sensitive tank mates, and residues may remain in substrate or filter media.
Buenos Aires tetras are fast, alert and highly social. They occupy the middle level of the aquarium and look their best in a proper school. Kept in too small a group, they become pushier and more likely to chase tank mates; in larger groups their energy spreads across the school and the fish look more coordinated and natural.
People often ask whether tetras are aggressive or territorial. With this species the honest answer is that they are nippy rather than territorial — they are not defending caves or fixed spaces, they are active schooling fish that will test slower companions. That is exactly why robust community planning matters.
You may also see colour shifts during feeding, sparring or courtship; these are normal social displays. To encourage natural behaviour, provide current, open swimming length and enough companions. A lonely pair is not the same as a school — keeping only two is a common beginner mistake, because Buenos Aires tetras especially need numbers to settle properly.
When customers look for buy Buenos Aires tetra UK, Buenos Aires tetra for sale UK, Buenos Aires tetra online UK or where to buy Buenos Aires tetra UK, they are usually trying to avoid weak stock, poor packing or fish that have not settled before dispatch. For this species that matters, because active schooling fish travel best when they are well-conditioned, feeding strongly and packed with care.
Our Buenos Aires tetras are selected for body shape, fin condition and active schooling behaviour rather than size alone. Before dispatch, fish are monitored for feeding response and general condition so you receive stock that is alert and ready to settle. That is especially important for a fish sold as hardy, because true hardiness still depends on proper handling.
For UK orders, fish are packed in insulated boxes using professional bagging methods designed to reduce stress in transit, with heat packs in colder weather and tracked services to shorten time in the box. That makes a real difference when you order Buenos Aires tetra UK and want fish to arrive in stable condition. If you are comparing Buenos Aires tetra delivery UK, Buenos Aires tetra shop UK or general buy tetra UK and tetra for sale UK listings, look for acclimation guidance and post-arrival support, not just the lowest headline price.
If you are checking the Buenos Aires tetra price UK or searching for a cheap Buenos Aires tetra UK, remember that healthy schooling fish save money in the long run. Better-conditioned stock settles faster, feeds sooner and integrates more safely into a community aquarium. We also provide practical care guidance so you can match tank mates, temperature and feeding correctly from day one.
Order your Buenos Aires Tetra today with confidence if you want a hardy, eye-catching tetra that brings constant movement to a well-planned community tank.
If you enjoy active South American schooling fish, consider mixing or comparing this species with Glowlight Tetras for warm orange contrast, or X-Ray Tetras for a peaceful, see-through look in calmer community setups. For a larger, more dramatic tetra profile, the Bleeding Heart Tetra makes an excellent focal companion in roomy aquariums. If you prefer a classic soft-water tetra look, Cardinal Tetras are a beautiful alternative. You can also browse our wider freshwater fish collection to complete your stocking plan with suitable community species and feeding essentials.
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