Hyphessobrycon epicharisWeitzman & L. F. Palmer, 1997
Megalamphodus epicharis, the crystalline rosy tetra, is a species of freshwater ray-finned fish belonging to the familyAcestrorhamphidae, the American tetras. This species is only known to occur in the upper basin of the Rio Negro in Brazil, Colombia and Venezuela in blackwater tributaries.
Megalamphodus epicharis is classified in the genus Megalamphodus, which is Greek and means "with spacious ways", a name coined by Carl H. Eigenmann which he gave no explanation for. It may be an allusion to the “very large” fontanels, the frontal bones being described as “entirely separate”', that is with a space between them and the parietal bones. The specific name, epicharis, means "pleasing", "agreeable" or "charming",a reference to the aesthetically pleasing colour and form of this fish.[5]
Description
Megalamphodus epicharis has 8 or 9 soft rays in its dorsal fin and between 23 and 29 softrays in its anal fin. It has a fusiform body with a maximum standard length of 3.5cm (1.4in).[6] These fishes hav a transparent body which is tinted with red, there is a black humeral spot, the caudal fin is reddish orange and the dorsal fin is black and white. Males develop longer dorsal and anal fins than fenales and they are slimmer and brighter in colour.[7]
Distribution and habitat
Megalamphodus epicharis is only known to occur in the upper basin of the Rio Negro in Brazil, Colombia and Venezuela in blackwater tributaries.[1]
Utilisation
Megalamphodus epicharis is collected for the aquarium trade.[1]
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