Pristella Tetra, Pristella maxillaris,
Native to coastal waters of Venezuela, Guyana, Suriname, French Pristella maxillaris or X-Ray Fish is commonly found in Guiana and northern Brazil. You’re unlikely to see any wild fish for sale though. Due to its popularity it’s commercially bred in huge numbers for the trade. Most of the ones on sale in the UK originate from the Far East or Eastern Europe. During the dry season it inhabits clearwater streams and tributaries. When the rains come it moves into flooded areas of savannah, where it spawns amongst the submerged vegetation. This mass-produced fish is adaptable and will do well in most tanks. It does look particularly effective in a heavily-planted arrangement though, and can appear a little washed out in very spartan setups. If you really want to see it at its best, you could set up a biotope tank. Use a substrate of river sand and add a few driftwood branches (if you can’t find driftwood of the desired shape, common beech is safe to use if thoroughly dried and stripped of bark) and twisted roots. A few handfuls of dried leaves (again beech is a good choice. Oak leaves are also suitable) would complete the natural feel. Aquatic plants are not a feature of this species‘ natural waters. Allow the wood and leaves to stain the water the colour of weak tea, removing old leaves and replacing them every few weeks so they don’t rot and foul the water. A small net bag filled with aquarium-safe peat can be added to the filter to aid in the simulation of black water conditions. Fairly dim lighting should also be used. Under these conditions the true beauty of the fish will be revealed.
Size: 5472px × 3648px
Location: Brazil
Photo credit: © Eng Wah Teo / Alamy / Afripics
License: Royalty Free
Model Released: No
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