Exodon (Bucktooth Tetra)

[shivam]

Im starting a 55gal up and I wanted to do something different instead of a "single fish" tank. I want a school but of course it has to be a badass school of fish. I was thinking of doing a school of Exodon. Is there anything I should watch out for and also any opinions on how to keep them. Please post pics if you are a owner of them or just post pics of your tank (doesn't have to be related).

Thanks.

 

[jstevenz]

Exodons are schooling fish. For a 55gal 5-10 would be no problem. They stay relatively small and are pretty active. Feed them blood worms, beef heart...etc. despite the nickname, they actually do not have teeth. I have kept a couple before and they will take down rosys if it can fit in their mouth. Just make sure it is a exodon only tank because they are notorious fin and scale nippers and they will go after other fish to eat their scales

 

[fishnatics]

Here are my exodons. Had 18 but 2 died due to aggression. They're in a 135 gallon with 4 Raphael catfish and 2 Pimelodus blochii's. They're better off in a species only tank as stated above they will eat scales of other fish. Cool fish to have and super active.

 

[ehh]

http://www.tfhmagazine.com/details/articles/one-tough-tetra-exodon-paradoxus-full-article.htm

 

[shivam]

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appreciate the comments. I plan on getting about 10 also a catfish or two to spot clean waste. I heard some keepers were able to keep other aggressive species with Exodons. Jack Dempsey etc.

 

[jstevenz]

If you plan to get a catfish gef something like a Raphael or dark corys, they like brightly colored fish so a darker colored catfish for scraps wouldn't be bad.

 

[shivam]

yeah I plan on getting a couple Raphael cats.

 

[SandNukka15]

They are scale eaters ....and in a 55 I wouldn't keep any tankmates with them unless you have a lot of caves for a pleco or something of that sort....they say not to keep less then 12 but personally I would keep at least 20 in that 55 gallon or they will pick at each other until you are left with 1

Any other fish with scales and they will definitely pick at it

I've kept exodons a few different times in the past

 

[shivam]

I've been hearing stories that its a total crapshoot on having the school thrive together or waking up one morning and seeing just 1 left in the tank. I figured (as you said) a large school and them being well fed would help with that.

 

[FMA4ME]

And buy them as close to the same size as possible.