| Pristella maxillaris | |
|---|---|
 | |
Scientific classification  | |
| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Actinopterygii |
| Order: | Characiformes |
| Family: | Characidae |
| Genus: | Pristella |
| Species: | P. maxillaris |
| Binomial name | |
| Pristella maxillaris (Ulrey, 1894) | |
| Synonyms [2] | |
| |
Pristella maxillaris is a species of characin in the genus Pristella , and is commonly known as the X-ray fish or X-ray tetra because of its translucent body. [4]
It is a widely distributed and adaptable fish, found in the Amazon and Orinoco basins, as well as coastal rivers in the Guianas in both acidic and alkaline waters. [5] Unlike most other characins, it is tolerant of (and sometimes found in) slightly brackish water. [6] It is small (up to around 5 cm or 2.0 in in length) and lives in large groups, and males can be distinguished from females by being smaller and thinner than the females. Like most other tetras, it feeds primarily on small insects and planktonic animals. [7]
Older aquarium books often refer to this species by the junior synonym Pristella riddlei. Aquarists tend to refer to this fish as the golden pristella tetra, though some call it the X-ray tetra, instead. Other common names include goldfinch tetra, a reference to the similarly coloured goldfinch, and pristella tetra, a modification of its Latin name. A common name that was once widespread but is now rarely used is signal tetra, a reference to the similarity between the yellow and black dorsal fin and the arm of a semaphore railway signal.
Pristella maxillaris is a small, adaptable fish that is often kept in a home aquarium and will eat most fish foods. It is tolerant of a range of water chemistry values (pH 6–8; hardness up to 20 dGH). As a shoaling species, it is usually kept in groups of at least six specimens and away from aggressive or predatory tankmates, but is otherwise easily kept in the community tank. The minimum aquarium size is typically 60 x 30 cm (15 Gallons).[ citation needed ]
Characiformes is an order of ray-finned fish, comprising the characins and their allies. Grouped in 18 recognized families, more than 2000 different species are described, including the well-known piranha and tetras.
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 black neon tetra is a freshwater fish of the characin family (Characidae) of the order Characiformes. It is native to the Paraguay basin of southern Brazil. They are often found in the aquarium trade.
The black phantom tetra, or simply phantom tetra, is a small freshwater fish of the characin family (Characidae) of order Characiformes. It is native to the upper Paraguay basin and upper Madeira basin in Brazil and Bolivia. It is commonly seen in the aquarium trade.
Xenentodon cancila, the freshwater garfish, is a species of needlefish found in freshwater and brackish habitats in South and Southeast Asia.
The bucktooth tetra is the only member of the genus Exodon and is a freshwater fish of the characin family of order Characiformes. It is native to the Amazon Basin and Guyana. Though first described in 1845, it was not imported and distributed by the aquarium trade until 1932.
Hyphessobrycon columbianus is a species of Tropical freshwater fish of the characin family. The Colombian tetra is native to the Acandi River near Acandí) in northwestern Colombia. The Colombian tetra's habitat tends to be slow-flowing creeks and tributaries.
Thayeria boehlkei is a species of characin fish endemic to the Amazon river basin and Araguaia river, in Peru and Brazil respectively. The species is popular with aquarium hobbyists where it is traded under a variety of common names including blackline penguinfish, blackline thayeria, hockey-stick tetra, penguin fish and penguin tetra.
The orange chromide is a species of cichlid fish that is endemic to freshwater and brackish streams, lagoons and estuaries in southern India and Sri Lanka. It is also known as pallathi in Malayalam. The species is popular with fishkeeping hobbyists, and is kept frequently in aquariums. The species is part of the family Cichlidae and is included in subfamily Etroplinae. The orange chromide reaches a length of up to 8 cm (3.1 in).
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.
The redeye tetra, is a species of tetra from the São Francisco, upper Paraná, Paraguay and Uruguay river basins in eastern and central South America. This freshwater fish is commonly kept in aquariums and bred in large numbers at commercial facilities in Eastern Europe and Asia. The redeye tetra is one of the more popular aquarium fish due to their schooling capability.
Farlowella acus is the type species of the armored catfish genus Farlowella. Members of this genus are commonly known as twig catfish or whiptail catfish. The specific name of the species, acus, means “pointed” or a “needle” or “spine”.
The ember tetra is a freshwater fish of the characin family of order Characiformes. It is native to the Araguaia River basin of Brazil and was discovered in 1987 and named in honor of the fish explorer Heiko Bleher's mother.
The violet goby is a species of goby native to marine, fresh and brackish waters near the Atlantic coast of North and South America from South Carolina in the United States of America, to northern Brazil. It prefers bays, estuaries and river mouths with muddy substrates. It is often marketed as the dragon goby or dragon fish.
Boehlkea fredcochui, also known as the Cochu's blue tetra is a species of characin. Its natural range is in the Amazon Basin. It is commonly kept as an aquarium fish.
Hyphessobrycon heterorhabdus, commonly known as the flag tetra or Belgian flag tetra, is a species of freshwater characin fish endemic to Brazil. Belonging to the family Characidae, this species is distinguished by its vibrant coloration and patterns, which have contributed to its popularity in the aquarium trade.
Ladigesia roloffi, the Sierra Leone dwarf characin, is a species of harmless African tetra that is found in Sierra Leone and Liberia, Africa. L. roloffi is the only member of its genus. The fish was named in honor of German aquarist Erhard Roloff (1903–1980), who collected the type specimen. They are a social species generally living in schools at mid depths and surface level fresh water. It lives for five years. Ninety-seven percent of their natural habitat has been lost.
The royal tetra is a species of characin endemic to Brazil, where it is found in tributaries of the Aripuanã River. It was once the sole member of its genus.
Piabucus is a genus of freshwater tetras in the family Iguanodectidae. All three species are found in South America, largely the Amazon and its major tributaries. None of them are longer than half a foot long, with the largest reaching a maximum size of 12.9 cm (5.1 in), and they are slender, with relatively deep chests and long pectoral fins. Their scales are pale or silvery, with lateral lines that stand out.
Petitella bleheri is a species of characin found in Amazon Basin in Brazil and Peru. One of three species called rummy-nose tetra, but is also called firehead tetra according to FishBase. Reaching a standard length of 2 in (5 cm) it is a common species found in the aquarium trade although often potentially hybridised with the other collective rummy-nose tetra species Petitella rhodostomus and Petitella georgiae; the false rummy-nose tetra.
Media related to Pristella maxillaris at Wikimedia Commons