Anybody know about Exodon Tetras

[BigFish1]

The other day I bought an Exodon Tetra and I need some tips on how to make himthrive and keep him healthy. I have a ten gallon tank. Is it normal for fish to be afraid when you put new objects in the tank because he was petrified when i put two new rocks in today.

What are some good tank mates? (I like agressive fish but i don't want anyone getting killed)

What are good foods for Exodons besides feeder fish?(he ate 15 in 3 days)

It looks like he is swimming a little crooked, should i be worried?

 

[Wippit Guud]

Mini-piranhas....

You might get away with a paradise fish, it should be able to hold it's own. If the tank was a little bigger, I'd suggest a RTBS/Rainbow/Black shark.

For food, they're insectivores by nature, so meal worms might work. Basically anything meaty, plus the odd flake for some veggies. You may have a problem with both feeding and tankmates now, though, if he's eating fish.

 

[RTR]

They are active schooling fish and a singleton is unlikely to ever adapt to being alone. Besides the tank is too small for even one.

They should be species-tank only, in a school of their own kind only, no other tankmates (aka sushi), minimum tank 36" long, 48" much better.

 

[Wippit Guud]

Well... much bigger tankmates, maybe. If I ever set up a piranha tank I'd have exodons in it.

 

[DarthV]

Yea, I'd pick a different breed of tetra for a 10gal... exodons are schooling type fish and will only do well in groups of 5-6 or more... even then you will lose a few... they are quite nasty I'd say a 33gal or larger (maybe a 40gal breeder) would be the smallest I'd try keeping them in.

 

[RTR]

My exodons were kept species, but I suspect that a mixed tank of exodons and piranha would soon be a tank of fat exodons with tailess, finless, eyeless piranha huddled in the corners.

 

[Leopardess]

I'd listen to RTR.

BTW, this is something I just picked up from website about tetras in general. They felt strongly enough to include this as a separate note at the end.

"Special Note:



The Exodon tetra is recommended for a species only tank. Exodon tetras are scale eaters and can quickly cause damage to other fish in the aquarium. "

Also...

Temperament: Definitly NOT FOR THE COMMUNITY AQUARIUM! they are carnivores, and will attack many fish, including oscars! keep as a shoal of 12 or more fish in a speies tank.
http://species.fishindex.com/species_668exodon_paradoxus_bucktoothed_tetra.html