Buenos Aires tetra (Hyphessobrycon anisitsi) care guide

Group
Freshwater fish
Other names
Hyphessobrycon anisitsi, Hemigrammus caudovittatus, Hemigrammus anisitsi, Albino/golden Buenos Aires tetra
Family
Acestrorhamphidae (American tetras; formerly Characidae)
Origin
The Paraná and Uruguay river systems of Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay and Uruguay.
Water
freshwater
Maximum size
6 cm
Temperature
16–28°C
pH
5.5–8.5
Hardness
Very soft to hard, 1–20 dGH
Minimum tank
80 litres
Care level
beginner
Temperament
semi_aggressive
Lifespan
5–6 years years

Care

The Buenos Aires tetra is one of the hardiest characins in the hobby – FishBase calls it one of the hardiest tropical fishes for the home aquarium. It is a lively, chunky fish that needs space: a tank with a base of at least 90 × 30 cm and a group of eight to ten or more. Kept in small numbers or cramped tanks it becomes nippy. It comes from cooler, subtropical rivers, so it is happy anywhere from about 16–28 °C, though it should not be kept at the top of that range for long – around 20–24 °C suits it well and it can live in an unheated tank in a warm room. It tolerates almost any water: very soft to hard (1–20 dGH) and pH 5.5–8.5. Décor is not critical, but it shows better colour in a well-structured, ideally planted set-up. Many keepers find it nibbles soft-leaved plants, so tougher species such as Java fern and Anubias are a safe choice. Leave plenty of open swimming space. An albino (sometimes sold as golden) strain is also bred for the hobby. Well-fed fish kept in a group of five or more are less likely to nip their tank-mates. Sources: Seriously Fish (seriouslyfish.com/species/hyphessobrycon-anisitsi/); FishBase (fishbase.se/summary/Psalidodon-anisitsi.html); Wikipedia (en.wikipedia.org/wiki/BuenosAirestetra). Checked October 2026.

Diet

An omnivore that forages on almost anything. Feed good flakes and granules alongside small live and frozen foods such as bloodworm, daphnia and brine shrimp. Wild fish eat some plant material too, so make sure part of the diet has added plant or algal content, such as a spirulina-based food.

Breeding

An egg-scattering spawner with no parental care, and very prolific – females may lay up to around 2000 eggs. Males are slimmer, smaller and more intensely coloured than females. Spawn a well-conditioned pair or group in a separate tank with fine-leaved plants, spawning mops or mesh over the base so the eggs fall out of reach, and remove the adults afterwards as they will eat the eggs. Water chemistry is not critical. Fry start on infusoria-type foods, then brine shrimp nauplii.

Compatibility and tank mates

Boisterous and a known fin-nipper, especially when overcrowded or kept in too small a group. Good with robust, fast fish of similar size such as larger tetras and barbs, danios, Corydoras and other sturdy catfish. Not suitable with shy, slow-moving or long-finned fish such as angelfish, bettas, fancy guppies or gouramis.

Last updated 4 October 2026. Community-edited care guide on Aquatic-Auctions.

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