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Uncharismatic Fact of the Day

The vampire fish might not actually drink blood, but it certainly looks the part! Also known as the payara, they are known for their extremely long lower teeth-- in fully grown adults, they can reach up to 15 cm (6 in). Because of their length, payara skulls have hollow sockets to sheath their lower teeth when their mouths are closed.

(Image: Researcher Zeb Hogan holding a payara (Hydrolycus scomberoides) by National Geographic)

#payara #Characiformes #Cynodontidae #vampire tetras #tetras #ray-finned fish #bony fish #fish #uncharismatic facts

My 20 gallon long tank with Yellow Phantom Tetras and a female Koi Betta named Mizi (from alien stage lol) :D

𓆝 𓆟 𓆞 ᥫ᭡ 🐠👽

#fishkeeping #betta fish #aquarium #fish #fishblr #fish tank #tetras #pets #pets of tumblr #leehan #aquascape

#freshwater fish #fishblr #fishkeeper #fishkeeping #aquarium fish #tropical fish #cool fish #cute fish #fish tank #pleco fish #molly fish #glass catfish #tetras

Neon tetras

Tried to make more art in the animal jam drawing program :)

#fishposting #art #my art #artists on tumblr #nature #animals #fish #neon tetras #tetras #fishblr #painting #digital art #animal jam #ajpw art #animal jam art #aj art #seagulls art

Day 320#: X-Ray Tetra

Today's animal of the day is the X-Ray Tetra (Pristella maxillaris)!

Photo credit: Richard Bartz

This unique species of freshwater fish can be found in a variety of river systems throughout South America, especially those that are slow-moving and have lots of aquatic vegetation for them to hide in. They've even been known to occasionally tolerate brackish water for short periods of time, such as those in the coastal rivers of the Guianas. They get their name because their bodies are semi-transparent with a yellowish tinge, allowing you to see some of their organs and even bones, such as their spinal cords and skulls. Their partially see-through bodies help these fish blend in better with their surroundings and make it harder for predators to locate them in the murky river water.

Photo credit: aquaticarts.com

X-ray tetras are social fish and prefer to travel in small schools for protection against predators. Both males and females are around 1.9 inches in length and possess white, black, and yellow dorsal and anal fins, with bright red tail fins. The only difference between the two sexes is that females tend to be slightly bulkier than the males, especially during the breeding season when they are about to lay their eggs. The diet of these fish consists mostly of aquatic insect larvae and tiny crustaceans, but they aren't picky eaters and will eat whatever small aquatic organisms they can find.

Photo credit: Grigorev Mikhail

Because of their interesting appearance, these fish have become quite popular in the aquarium trade, where they are considered to be quite hardy and good for beginners. They need at least a 10-gallon tank, though it's recommended that, if you can, you keep them in either a 15 or 20-gallon tank. They need to be kept in a group of at least six, and like lots of places to hide in order to feel safe, while still providing them with enough space to swim and roam. Specifically, they like it if you put wooden logs and branches in their tank, since the natural tannins from the wood will dye the water a brownish color. This might not be super aesthetically pleasing to many tank owners, but it helps simulate the murky waters that these fish are native to, and makes them feel more comfortable since they're able to blend in better with their surroundings. X-ray tetras also tend to be pretty chill sharing their space with other freshwater fish, as long as the tank is big enough, especially those that can be found with them in the wild.