Mimagoniates microlepis

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Mimagoniates microlepis
Mimagoniates microlepis.jpg
Scientific classification OOjs UI icon edit-ltr.svg
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Actinopterygii
Order: Characiformes
Family: Stevardiidae
Genus: Mimagoniates
Species:
M. microlepis
Binomial name
Mimagoniates microlepis
(Steindachner, 1877)
Synonyms [2]
  • Paragoniates microlepis Steindachner, 1877
  • Coelurichthys iporangae Miranda Ribeiro, 1908

Mimagoniates microlepis, also known as the blue tetra (a common name shared with Tyttocharax madeirae , Knodus borki , and possibly other Characidae, as well), [3] the croaking tetra (a name also applied to Mimagoniates inequalis [4] and Mimagoniates lateralis [5] ), the small-scaled tetra, is a species of freshwater ray-finned fish belonging to the family Stevardiidae. First identified by Franz Steindachner in 1876 and named Paragoniates microlepis, it has also been identified as Coelurichthys iporangae (Miranda-Ribeiro, 1908), Coelurichthys lateralis, and Mimagoniates iporangae (McAllister, 1990) besides its current taxonomic classification. There is evidence of a variety called M. microlepis 'Joinville' which might be synonymous with Paragoniates microlepis. [3] [6]

Contents

Habitat

This freshwater fish is found in clear coastal rivers and streams in eastern Brazil, ranging from southern Bahia to northern Rio Grande do Sul. It prefers temperatures of 18–23 °C (64–73 °F). [7]

Anatomy

Mimagoniates microlepis typically reaches up to 6.1 cm (2.4 in) in length, but captives have reached 9 cm (3.5 in). [7] Genetic diversity with the species is evidenced by its variable phenotype. For example, in this wild-caught specimen (), a brownish-black stripe runs along either side of its body from head to tail. Directly above this and touching it is stripe of similar size but of a lighter brown-beige color. It has a sort of blueish-purplish sheen all over. Except for this sheen, their two stripes, and their internal organs, it is mostly transparent similar to the so-called "X-ray tetra", Pristella maxillaris . By comparison, this aquarium-bred specimen () is mostly opaque and has much less prominent markings and this specimen () caught near Ubatuba has an appearance somewhat between those of the two previously described. According to a 2008 report, "phylogeographic studies based on molecular data indicate significant differences between the isolated populations of M. microlepis." [8]

Males have a modified breathing organ with which they make sound during courtship. They also have a modified caudal gland used to release pheromones, a characteristic they share with all members of the Glandulocaudinae subfamily. [9]

Sound

Like related species sometimes referred to as "croaking tetras" or "chirping tetras", M. microlepis has a supplementary breathing organ located above its gills which makes a faint chirping sound when it comes to the surface to gulp air. [10] This noise also plays a role in courtship, as the male chases and hovers near the female while taking gulps of air and expelling it to make a rhythmic sound. [11] Croaking behavior may have evolved from a behavior called "nipping surface", a feeding behavior that occurs when the fish is searching for food; the fish often will gulp air when doing this. This behavior has no useful respiratory function. [12]

Cultivation

Mimagoniates microlepis is cultivated by aquarists and is appropriate for inclusion in a tank with other species of nonaggressive fish. They accept frozen and dry food, but live food is especially recommended. [13]

Breeding them is not difficult and a spawning mop (a sort of synthetic plant resembling the head of an old-fashioned mop) may be used as a substrate upon which they can lay and fertilize their eggs. The parents should then be removed so that they do not cannibalize their eggs or young. The fry emerge from their eggs in two or three days. Newborn M. microlepis may be feed firstly paramecia and rotifers. After increasing their size somewhat, brine shrimp may be offered. [13]

References

  1. Instituto Chico Mendes de Conservação da Biodiversidade (ICMBio) (2022). "Mimagoniates microlepis". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species (in Brazilian Portuguese). 2022: e.T186552A1814837. doi: 10.2305/IUCN.UK.2022-1.RLTS.T186552A1814837.pt . Retrieved 3 September 2025.
  2. Eschmeyer, William N.; Fricke, Ron & van der Laan, Richard (eds.). "Species in the genus Mimagoniates". Catalog of Fishes . California Academy of Sciences . Retrieved 3 September 2025.
  3. 1 2 Master Index of Freshwater Fishes
  4. Fishbase -Mimagoniates inequalis
  5. Mimagoniates lateralis
  6. Characidoidea
  7. 1 2 Fishbase
  8. "Biogeography of Glandulocaudinae (Teleostei: Characiformes: Characidae) revisited: phylogenetic patterns, historical geology and genetic connectivity" (PDF).
  9. Bushmann, Paul J.; Burns, John R.; Weitzman, Stanley J. (2005). "Gill-Derived Glands in Glandulocaudine Fishes (Teleostei: Characidae: Glandulocaudinae)" (PDF). Journal of Morphology. 253 (2): 187–195. doi:10.1002/jmor.1120. PMID   12112132. S2CID   39758714.[ dead link ]
  10. "Encarta". Archived from the original on 2009-08-29.
  11. Axelrod, Herbert, R. (1996). Exotic Tropical Fishes. T.F.H. Publications. ISBN   0-87666-543-1.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  12. Nelson, Keith (1964). "The Evolution of a Pattern of Sound Production Associated with Courtship in the Characid Fish, Glandulocauda inequalis". Evolution . 18 (4). Evolution, Vol. 18, No. 4: 526–540. doi:10.2307/2406207. JSTOR   2406207. Note: This paper precedes the reclassification of G. inequalis under Mimagoniates
  13. 1 2 Aquariumfish