Mimagoniates microlepis
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| Mimagoniates microlepis | |
|---|---|
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Scientific classification  | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Actinopterygii |
| Order: | Characiformes |
| Family: | Stevardiidae |
| Genus: | Mimagoniates |
| Species: | M. microlepis |
| Binomial name | |
| Mimagoniates microlepis (Steindachner, 1877) | |
| Synonyms[2] | |
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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]
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 one wild-caught specimen,[8] 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, the two stripes, and the internal organs, it is mostly transparent, similar to the so-called "X-ray tetra", Pristella maxillaris. By comparison, an aquarium-bred specimen[9] is mostly opaque and has much less prominent markings, and a specimen[10] 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."[11]
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.[12]