Mimagoniates microlepis

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Mimagoniates microlepis
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Actinopterygii
Order: Characiformes
Family: Characidae
Genus: Mimagoniates
Species:
M. microlepis
Binomial name
Mimagoniates microlepis

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]

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).[5]

Anatomy

Mimagoniates microlepis typically reaches up to 6.1 cm (2.4 in) in length, but captives have reached 9 cm (3.5 in).

internal organs, it is mostly transparent similar to the so-called "X-ray tetra", Pristella maxillaris. By comparison, this aquarium-bred specimen ([2]) is mostly opaque and has much less prominent markings and this specimen ([3]) 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

caudal gland used to release pheromones, a characteristic they share with all members of the Glandulocaudinae subfamily.[7]

Sound

Main article: Mimagoniates

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]

Cultivation

Mimagoniates microlepis is cultivated by

frozen and dry food, but live food is especially recommended.[11]

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]

References

  1. ^ a b Master Index of Freshwater Fishes
  2. ^ Fishbase -Mimagoniates inequalis
  3. ^ Mimagoniates lateralis
  4. ^ Characidoidea
  5. ^ a b Fishbase
  6. ^ "Biogeography of Glandulocaudinae (Teleostei: Characiformes: Characidae) revisited: phylogenetic patterns, historical geology and genetic connectivity" (PDF).
  7. S2CID 39758714.[dead link
    ]
  8. ^ "Encarta". Archived from the original on 2009-08-29.
  9. ISBN 0-87666-543-1.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link
    )
  10. JSTOR 2406207
    . Note: This paper precedes the reclassification of G. inequalis under Mimagoniates
  11. ^ a b Aquariumfish
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