The Buenos Aires tetra originates from the Paraná and Uruguay River basins. This is in the region of Buenos Aires, Argentina.  They are known by the scientific name Hemigrammus caudovittatus and by Hyphessobrycon anisitsi.  They are one of the hardiest tetras and are easy to keep but are not a favorite of plant lovers, because of their propensity to eat them.  Buenos Aires Tetras have a clear body with a thin blue line through from the gills to the caudal fin.  The caudal and lower fins have an orange tint.  There is a dark area at the base of the caudal fin.  Coloring is brighter during spawning.  There is also an Albino Buenos Aires variety.

Buenos Aires Tetras are one of the more aggressive tetras and they will nip fins. They should be kept with aggressive larger tetras, such as the Blind Cave Tetra, the Colombian Tetra, the Serpae Tetra and the Silver Tip Tetra.  They are definitely not good companions for smaller tetras and guppies.  They should be kept in groups of at least 6 to reduce aggression.  They need lots of open swimming space, as they are very active.  Rocks and driftwood will be appreciated.  Plants should be plastic unless you intend them to be eaten, though Java Fern may survive.  Buenos Aires should not be kept with slow feeding fish, as they will prevent the slower fish from obtaining food.  They will eat high quality flake food, freeze dried bloodworms, tubifex and pellets.  They love live brine shrimp.

Typical of most tetras, the females have larger and broader bodies.  For breeding, an area of bushy plants should be provided in a separate tank where the water level has been greatly reduced.  Slightly acidic water is best.  Eggs will be scattered through the plants.  The parents should be removed after spawning.  The eggs will hatch in a couple of days and the fry will be ready for brine shrimp and finely ground flake foods within a week.

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