Buenos Aires Tetra is a wonderfully freshwater fish that is beginner-friendly. They are quite active, pretty, and easy to care for.
It is easy to establish the right tank conditions for these fish, and they are also not very demanding in their diet.
To form a harmonious and happy aquatic community, you should keep these fish with suitable tank mates. But what are the best Buenos Aires Tetra tank mates?
Let’s find out in this post!
Contents
What Are The Best Buenos Aires Tetra Tank Mates?

Apart from other fish of the same species, you should raise your Buenos aires tetra with similar-sized or bigger fish.
If you want to make a multi-species aquarium, the following are some proper tank mates for your Buenos aires tetra:
- Rainbowfish.
- Congo Tetra.
- Dwarf Gourami.
- Apistogramma.
- Emperor Tetra.
- Black Skirt Tetra.
- German Blue Ram.
- Bolivian Ram Cichlid.
- Barbs (we love Cherry Barbs).
- Danios (try the Celestial Pearl).
Always avoid putting smaller fish into your fish tank. The same goes for slow-moving species with long fins.
They do well with other big Tetras. Many aquarists and fish keepers even use them as dither fish to help non-aggressive Cichlids feel slightly more relaxed.
Buenos Aires Tetra Habitat and Care

Buenos Aires Tetras can be flexible to a wide range of tank conditions.
Proper water temperatures can range from 60 to 80°F, meaning these fish can live well in both heated and unheated tanks.
They are highly active fish requiring a sizable open swimming space. A longer tank is ideal for them.
In most cases, live plant tanks are not ideal for these fish as they are known to devour vegetation. So we recommend using artificial plants or selecting live plants such as Java fern, Anubias sturdy, or Vallisneria.
It is okay to round out the decor with rocks and driftwood around the periphery of your tank to make these tetras feel in their natural environment.
They will be happy with all substrate types and live well with normal aquarium lighting. But you need to securely cover your tank since these fish are jumpers and will do this if they have an opportunity.
These tetras are very sensitive to the phosphates and nitrate that can build up in your tank over time, and water hardness will increase because of evaporation.
To combat these ever-changing conditions, you should regularly change your aquarium’s water.
You should replace 25% to 50% of the tank water every other week, especially if your aquarium is densely stocked.
Buenos Aires Tetras’ Diet And Feeding Schedule
These fish mostly feed on plants, worms, insects, and crustaceans out in the wild. So it is easy to assert that they are omnivores.
You can buy several flakes that contain all the nutrition they need at a local pet shop. Then you should give small amounts of food to them daily.
You also give your little pets live or frozen foods if you prefer to introduce some variety to their diet. These include bloodworms, brine shrimp, and daphnia.
It would help if you also prepared some blanched spinach for them. Feed them a few times daily with a portion of food they can consume within three minutes.
If you reach a great balance by feeding your little fish a combination of the foods mentioned above, you can expect their colors to become more vivid, showcasing good health.
Characteristics Of Buenos Aires Tetras
Family | Characidae. |
Social | Peaceful, shoaling fish. |
Origin | Argentina, Paraguay, Southeastern Brazil. |
Diet | Omnivore. |
Tank Level | Mid-level. |
Minimum Tank Size | 30 gallons. |
Care | Easy. |
Breeding | Egg scatterer |
Hardness | Up to 35 dGH. |
pH | From 5.8 to 8.5. |
Temperature | From 18 to 28 C (or 64 to 82 F). |
FAQs
What Is the Origin of Buenos Aires Tetra?

This fish is native to Buenos Aires city, the center of Argentina, where many streams, rivers, ponds, and lakes exist.
Two rivers, the Parana and Uruguay, are home to most of these fish in that area. Other places like Paraguay and Brazil are also places to find these fish.
What Are the Gender Differences in Buenos Aires Tetra?
Males have redder, brighter fins and are typically more colorful overall, particularly during spawning. Females are overall larger with a rounder belly.
How Long Is the Lifespan of the Buenos Aires Tetra?
The average lifespan of these fish is 3 to 5 years. When kept in a poorly maintained tank, these fish will have a much shorter lifespan. So to help your fish live as long as possible, you must provide optimal care consistently.
What Are Buenos Aires Tetra Water Conditions?
We recommend keeping these fish in an aquarium that can hold at least 30 gallons. They need clean and completely salt-free water to grow.
Moreover, the best way to keep them is to recreate warm and soft water conditions in their natural habitat in Argentina.
Obey the following water parameters, and these fish will be fine:
- Water hardness: From 12 to 35 dGH.
- pH levels: From 5.5 to 8.5 (Neutral pH is best).
- Water temperature: From 64°F to 82°F (aim for the middle of this range).
What Is the Average Size of Buenos Aires Tetra?
Buenos Aires Tetras is one of the larger species of the Tetra family. When fully mature, their average size is about 2.8 inches in length.
If you want to maximize their size and growth, it is essential to buy them from a reputable seller and keep them in optimal condition.
In The Nutshell
What are the best Buenos aires tetra tank mates? Your Buenos Aires tetra mates love some fishes, such as gouramis, barbs, rainbowfish, danios, and more.
This article has also provided the information you need to care for these fish properly. Hopefully, this article was helpful to you.
Thank you for your interest!