Buenos Aires Tetras

Spence · Dec 29, 2017

When starting my 120 I knew I wanted some active fish to help bring out the personality of my Green Terror and Severums. I decided that the BA Tetras were worth a shot. I had no idea how active and colorful (when the light hits them correctly) they can be. I find myself watching them at least as much as my cichlids. I'm adding some pics to show just how colorful they can be.

Stanzzzz7 · Dec 29, 2017

Very nice.

Gourami Swami · Dec 29, 2017

Gorgeous BA tetras. I agree it can be surprising how dither fish can end up being some of your favorites. My male ameca splendens pushes around fish twice his size- he is third in command of the tank, ahead of like 5 other cichlids! and a very pretty fish in his own right.

Spence · Dec 29, 2017

I'm guessing dithers in cichlids tanks benefit from the better diet and swimming space dedicated owners provide. Most of the BA tetras I've seen have been mostly just silver and many torn fins. One thing I was a bit surprised about was that they only really school when I'm cleaning the tank. I figured having a few larger cichlids would trigger a much stronger schooling response. Guess I'll see what happens as the cichlids continue to put on size.

Itsadeepbluesea · Dec 30, 2017

Very nice how many do you have?

Spence · Dec 30, 2017

I have a school of 9. I originally started with 6 and just thought they could use a few more as it looked a little sparse. I picked up an additional 3 a couple days later. They can be pretty rough with each other though, especially at feeding time. So probably a good thing that I added more to spread the aggression a bit.

Itsadeepbluesea · Dec 30, 2017

Nice, I always found the schooling behavior of fish to be interesting! Good idea on the aggression too.

4wheelvfr · Jan 4, 2018

I wish these got bigger. I've got a 1000g tank that I let dip into the 50's during the Winter and a big school of these would be awesome. Unfortunately they'd turn into food. Maybe in my Daughter's tank.....

cjdesmit · Jan 7, 2018

Nice pics, they don't sit still for long. I've kept BA Tetras on and off with CA cichlids for years. I'll get a large school, keep them for a year or so then sell them off. A year later, I'll miss the added activity and get another school. I most recently had a large school of around 30 in my 220gal that I sold off a few months ago. They were beginning to out compete the cichlids when it came to feeding time!