Facts and Features of Amazon's X - Ray Tetra

Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Actinopterygii
Order: Characiformes
Family: Characidae
Genre: Pristella
Scientific Name: maxillaris Pristella
Common Name: X-Ray Tetra
Other names: Golden Pristella Tetra, Water Jilguero
Group: Fish
Number of species: 1
Skin Type: Scales
Size (H): 3.2 cm - 5 cm (1.6in - 1.9in)

Classification and evolution of Amazon's X - Ray Tetra

The X - Ray Tetra is a small species of schooling fish found naturally in coastal regions of the Amazon River in South America.It is also known as the Golden Pristella Tetra and water Goldfinch due to the slight golden color of it's translucent skin.They were first introduced by Ulrey in 1894 and have become one of the largest freshwater fish kept in artificial aquarium today.Although the X - Ray Tetra is the only known species in its genus ,which is closely related to other small and colorful South American fish ,including about 100 other species of Tetra .

Anatomy and appearance of Amazon's X - Ray Tetra

The distinct feature of the X - Ray Tetra is the transclucent layer on it's body, allowing the backbone of the fish to be visible clearly.The scales of the X - Ray Tetra is a silver -yellow that is faint, looking almost golden in some lights.The X - Ray Tetra also has a re-tipped tail and striped dorsal and anal fins which are yellow, black and white in color.This is  relatively small species of fish which consist of  bony internal structure known as the Weberian apparatus ,used in the selection of sound waves and contributes to their acute sense of hearing ( this bone structure is also fond in it's relatives).Females are slightly larger and rounder than thinner male one ,although both are similar in appearance.

Distribution and Habitat of Amazon's X - Ray Tetra

The X - Ray Tetra is found in the coastal regions of the Amazon in Brazil ,Guiana ,Guyana and Venezuela of South America .They differ greatly from other Tetra species as they are able to tolerate brackish water closer to the coast and their common freshwater environments.They live in clear water streams and tributaries during the dry season and with the arrival of the rains, the X - Ray Tetra moves to  flooded marshlands where it gets softer and more acidic water stuff.The X - Ray Tetra breed during the wet season, as they have better water conditions and a greater abundance of food.

lifestyle and temperament of Amazon's X - Ray Tetra

Like many other small ,colorful fish, the X - Ray Tetra is such a species of fish that inhabit the region between the bottom and middle part of the water as a group.They are incredibly quiet and are often tolerant of other species that share their habitat .The X - Ray Tetra is one of the most adaptable species of Tetra , since it is able to live in both fresh and brackish water happily  in both acidic and alkaline conditions .In general  we observed that the X - Ray Tetra is kept in tanks , can quickly change from peaceful to become nervous in the presence of large fish with the same behavior known to display if the size of the school is not large enough.

Life cycles of Amazon's X - Ray Tetra

During the rainy season . the X - Ray Tetra return to the flood areas to spawn.Unlike many similar fish who give birth to live young , the female X - Ray Tetra lays between 300-400 eggs to disperse into the vegetation . X - Ray Tetra  begin to hatch within 24 hours  and become free swimming within a few days .Once able to swim , the little white one , are able to find better food sources and continue to develop their characteristic adult markings.X - Ray Tetra usually live for three or four years in the wild but can reach old age in captivity.

Diet of Amazon's X - Ray Tetra

Like many other species of small fish that live in the Amazon river, the X - Ray Tetra is an omnivorous species whose diet consists of animals and plants.X - Ray Tetra mainly hunting worms , insects and small crustaceans that live near the river bed and their young tend to feed on insect larvae. Although they are also known to supplement their diet with aquatic plants  which are mostly micro - predators that feed on small invertebrates .In artificial communities ,X - Ray Tetra need food such as brine shrimp and blood worm with flakes and pellets to make sure you have a standard nutritious diet.

Predators of Amazon's X - Ray Tetra

The small size of the X - Ray Tetra means that it should not be kept in the same aquarium as large , predatory fish , but can live peacefully with other small , schooling fish that gives no threat.In nature, X - Ray Tetra eaten by a number of aquatic predators including big fish and frogs and also attacked by birds and snakes if they are closer to the water surface.Populations are decreased due to increasing levels of water pollution and loss of habitat.

Facts and Features of Amazon's X - Ray Tetra

The Weberian apparatus ( bony structure ) in the body of X - Ray Tetra works by transmitting sound waves through your vertebrate, which has been received from the air bladder and then are taken in the inner ear, which means that the X - Ray Tetra has excellent hearing.The transparency of their skin is believed to be a form of protection as predators find difficulties to detect than (along with pale yellow marks ) in dense vegetation and sparkling water.Not only is yellowish X - Ray Tetra popular in the tanks but albino version of the species is now also commonly found in artificial communities worldwide .

Relationship of Amazon's X - Ray Tetra with Human Beings

Since it was first introduced in 1894 , this unique animal has been much fascination because of it's transparent body .They are now one of the most popular species of tropical fish to have in household tanks , mainly because of its ease to maintain, as they are rugged, adaptable and undemanding .Fast reproduction rate is also believed to be one of the reasons that have become so popular.Today, the X - Ray Tetra aquarium does not come from nature ,but are commercially cultivated for trade, especially in Eastern Europe and the Far East.

Status and Life Today of Amazon's X - Ray Tetra

The X - Ray Tetra has not been included in the IUCN Red List as a species that is threatened in their environment . However, the industry increased the Amazon river means that there has been an increase in the levels of water pollution and therefore a decrease in the quality of water ,leading to a slight decrease in the population in some areas.