Mimagoniates microlepis | |
---|---|
Scientific classification | |
Domain: | Eukaryota |
Kingdom: | Animalia |
Phylum: | Chordata |
Class: | Actinopterygii |
Order: | Characiformes |
Family: | Characidae |
Genus: | Mimagoniates |
Species: | M. microlepis |
Binomial name | |
Mimagoniates microlepis Steindachner, 1876 | |
Mimagoniates microlepis, also known as the blue tetra (a common name shared with Tyttocharax madeirae , Knodus borki , and possibly other Characidae, as well), [1] the croaking tetra (a name also applied to Mimagoniates inequalis [2] and Mimagoniates lateralis [3] ), the small-scaled tetra, is a species of tetra in the genus Mimagoniates . First identified by Franz Steindachner in 1876 and named Coelurichthys 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. [1] [4]
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). [5]
M. microlepis typically reaches up to 6.1 cm (2.4 in) in length, but captives have reached 9 cm (3.5 in). [5] 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." [6]
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. [7]
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. [8] 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. [9] 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. [10]
M. 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. [11]
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. [11]
Characidae, the characids or characins is a family of freshwater subtropical and tropical fish, belonging to the order Characiformes. The name "characins" is the historical one, but scientists today tend to prefer "characids" to reflect their status as a by and large monophyletic group at family rank. To arrive there, this family has undergone much systematic and taxonomic change. Among those fishes that remain in the Characidae for the time being are the tetras, comprising the very similar genera Hemigrammus and Hyphessobrycon, as well as a few related forms such as the cave and neon tetras. Fish of this family are important as food and also include popular aquarium fish species.
The black tetra, also known as the black skirt tetra, petticoat tetra, high-fin black skirt tetra, black widow tetra and blackamoor, is a freshwater fish of the characin family (Characidae).
The cardinal tetra is a freshwater fish of the family Characidae of order Characiformes. It is native to the upper Orinoco and Negro Rivers in South America. Growing to about 3 cm (1.2 in) total length, the cardinal tetra has the striking iridescent blue line characteristic of the genus Paracheirodon laterally bisecting the fish, with the body below this line being vivid red in color, hence the name "cardinal tetra". The cardinal tetra's appearance is similar to that of the closely related neon tetra, with which it is often confused; the neon's red coloration extends only about halfway to the nose, and the neon's blue stripe is a less vibrant blue.
Tetra is the common name of many small freshwater characiform fishes. Tetras come from Africa, Central America, and South America, belonging to the biological family Characidae and to its former subfamilies Alestidae and Lebiasinidae. The Characidae are distinguished from other fish by the presence of a small adipose fin between the dorsal and caudal fins. Many of these, such as the neon tetra, are brightly colored and easy to keep in captivity. Consequently, they are extremely popular for home aquaria.
Arapaima gigas, also known as pirarucu or simply arapaima, is a species of arapaima native to the basin of the Amazon River. Once believed to be the sole species in the genus, it is among the largest freshwater fish. The species is an obligate air-breather, so needs to come to the surface regularly to gulp air.
Hyphessobrycon is a genus of freshwater fish in the family Characidae. These species are among the fishes known as tetras. The genus is distributed in the Neotropical realm from southern Mexico to Río de la Plata in Argentina. Many of these species are native to South America; about six species are from Central America and a single species, H. compressus is from southern Mexico.
Astyanax is a genus of freshwater fish in the family Characidae of the order Characiformes. Some of these fish, like many of their relatives, are kept as aquarium pets and known collectively as tetras. With around 150 described species and new ones being described yearly, this genus is among the largest of the entire order; Hyphessobrycon also has more than 145 species and which one is larger at any one time depends on whether more species have been recently described in one or the other. The blind and colorless cave tetra of Mexico is a famous member of the genus, but its taxonomic position is disputed: Some recognize it as part of the Mexican tetra and this is supported by phylogenetic evidence, but others recognize the cave form as a separate species, A. jordani.
Astyanax jordani is a freshwater fish of the characin family of order Characiformes, native to Mexico. It is sometimes called the cave tetra, or by its local Spanish name tetra ciego.
The rummy-nose tetra is a species of tropical freshwater characin fish originating in South America, popular among fishkeepers as a tropical aquarium fish. One of many small tetras belonging to the same genus, it is on average 5 cm (2 in) long when fully grown. The fish is one of several very similar species including Petitella bleheri, and Petitella georgiae, and it is possible that more recently collected specimens available in the aquarium trade are members of one or other of these similar species. The common name applied to most of these fishes is "rummy-nose tetra", though other common names are in circulation.
Mikrogeophagus altispinosus is a species of fish endemic to the southern Amazon River basin in Brazil and Bolivia. The species is part of the family Cichlidae and subfamily Geophaginae. It is a popular aquarium fish, traded under the common names Bolivian butterfly, Bolivian ram, Bolivian ram cichlid, and ruby crown cichlid.
The diamond tetra is a small freshwater fish of the characin family of order Characiformes. It is found in and around Lake Valencia in Venezuela, South America.
Lepidophagy is a specialised feeding behaviour in fish that involves eating the scales of other fish. Lepidophagy is widespread, having evolved independently in at least five freshwater families and seven marine families. A related feeding behavior among fish is pterygophagy: feeding on the fins of other fish.
The flame tetra, also known as the red tetra or Rio tetra, is a small freshwater fish of the characin family Characidae. This tetra was first introduced as aquarium fish in 1920 by C. Bruening, Hamburg, Germany, and formally described in 1924 by Dr. George S. Myers. Today large numbers are bred in captivity and it is common in the aquarium trade, but the remaining wild population in Southeast Brazil is highly threatened.
Glandulocaudinae are a subfamily of tropical freshwater characin fish from Central and South America. In all species of this subfamily, a gland on their caudal fin is found almost exclusively in the males, which allows the release and pumping of pheromones; also, members of this subfamily have complex courtship behaviors which lead to insemination. The ecology and life history of these fish is complex yet little studied. Glandulocaudines are important as food fish for larger fish important for commercial and subsistence reasons.
The moonlight gourami, also known as the moonbeam gourami, is a labyrinth fish of the family Osphronemidae native to Indochina. This peaceful species is a popular aquarium fish.
Mimagoniates is a genus of characid fish from rivers and streams in southeastern, southern and central-western Brazil, northeastern Argentina, and Paraguay. The individual species generally have relatively small ranges and two, M. lateralis and M. sylvicola, are considered threatened by Brazil's Ministry of the Environment.
Mimagoniates lateralis is a species of tetra in the genus Mimagoniates. Its common names include croaking tetra.
Mimagoniates inequalis, known as the croaking tetra, is a species of tetra in the genus Mimagoniates. It was previously classified as Glandulocauda inequalis
Copella arnoldi, commonly known as the splash tetra or the splashing tetra, is a species of tropical freshwater fish belonging to the family Lebiasinidae. It is native to South America.
The orangefin tetra is a small species of freshwater fish from South America that belongs to the family Iguanodectidae. Though common in its native range, it seems to prefer fast-flowing and shallow creeks. It is an active swimmer that feeds on plant material and various invertebrates, sometimes jumping out of the water to catch prey above the surface.
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