fish · Acestrorhamphidae
Buenos Aires tetra
Psalidodon anisitsi
Wild range: Paraná and Uruguay river systems (Brazil, Paraguay, Argentina, Uruguay); subtropical streams, floodplain lakes, backwaters and oxbows (South America)
At a glance: Buenos Aires tetra care
Compiled reference information. Review the care notes and original sources below.
What temperature is listed for Buenos Aires tetra?
The compiled profile lists 18.0–26.0 °C for Buenos Aires tetra (Psalidodon anisitsi). Check the original sources below for context and differing recommendations.
What tank size is listed for Buenos Aires tetra?
The profile lists a minimum tank volume of 30.0 US gallons (114.0 liters). Volume alone does not establish suitability; consider dimensions, group size and other inhabitants alongside the full care notes.
What pH is listed for Buenos Aires tetra?
The compiled profile lists a pH of 6.0–7.5. Review the cited care sources alongside the other water parameters in this profile.
Natural habitat
Smaller streams and tributaries more often than major channels; also floodplain lakes, backwaters and oxbows in a subtropical region with abundant rainfall and relatively mild winters (Seriously Fish).
Where they are found
Valid name Psalidodon anisitsi (Eigenmann, 1907) per Catalog of Fishes and FishBase (Terán et al. 2020 resurrection of Psalidodon; Zanata et al. 2024 synonymy). FORMER / TRADE NAMES: still widely sold as Hyphessobrycon anisitsi (ITIS TSN 639867; Seriously Fish profile) and historically as Hemigrammus caudovittatus Ahl, 1923 (junior synonym) or Hemigrammus anisitsi. CoF currently places Psalidodon in Acestrorhamphidae:Acestrorhamphinae; this catalog keeps family Characidae to match other live tetra rows and notes the CoF placement here. DO NOT CONFUSE with bloodfin tetra (Aphyocharax anisitsi) already in catalog — same epithet, different genus. Some Buenos Aires province records refer to Hyphessobrycon togoi (Miquelarena & López 2006), so the vernacular is somewhat misleading.
Aquarium care
Hardy, active South American characin suitable for beginners when given space and a proper school. Plan at least a 30 US gallon (~114 L) tank with a long footprint (≥36 in / 90 cm) for a group of 8+; Seriously Fish cites a ~90×30 cm base (~21 gal) as an absolute floor for a small group — this catalog uses 30 gal as the store-staple school floor. Prefer ~18–26°C (Aquariadise preferred band; SF allows 16–28°C but warns against prolonged upper end). Soft–moderately hard, slightly acidic to neutral water (pH ~6.0–7.5; GH 1–18). Provide open midwater swimming space plus tough plants or décor for cover; known plant-eaters — Anubias, Java fern, Vallisneria, or plastic plants fare better. Moderate flow and high dissolved oxygen appreciated. Not a nano species.
Feeding
Foraging omnivore: worms, insects/zooplankton plus plant material and detritus in nature (Seriously Fish / FishBase). In aquaria offer quality flakes/granules with plant or algal content plus regular live/frozen foods (bloodworm, Daphnia, Artemia) and vegetable supplements. Underfed groups are more likely to rasp plants or nip tankmates (Aquariadise).
Compatibility
Boisterous schooling tetra with a fin-nipping reputation when understocked or cramped (Seriously Fish, Aquariadise). Keep 8–10+ so aggression stays within the school. Prefer robust, similarly sized midwater companions (larger tetras, barbs, danios, rainbowfish, gouramis); avoid tiny/shy fish (neon/rummy-nose) and long-finned species (bettas, fancy guppies, angels). Bottom dwellers (corys, plecos, loaches) usually fine. May eat dwarf shrimp. Compatible with carefully chosen semi-aggressive community setups when space and group size are adequate — map as community_safe with caveats, not with delicate nano communities.
Breeding
Egg-scattering free spawner with no parental care; relatively easy versus many tetras (Seriously Fish, Aquariadise). Condition adults on live/frozen foods; spawn in soft, slightly acidic to neutral water over fine plants or spawning mops; remove parents after spawning. Eggs hatch in ~24–36 h; feed infusoria/Paramecium then baby brine shrimp.
Sources
Compiled from multiple independent care sheets — not copied from a single site.