Edit Axelrodia riesei
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Name
Scientific name
Axelrodia riesei
Described by
Authority Géry, Year 1966
Family
Characidae
Summary
The ruby tetra, Axelrodia riesei, is a tiny characid known only from the upper Río Meta basin in Colombia, part of the Orinoco system. It i…
Size and aquarium
Maximum size
20mm, standard length
Tank size
Minimum length 60 cm, Minimum depth 30 cm
Water
Temperature and pH
Temperature 20–28°C, pH 4–6.5
Hardness
1–5dGH
Conductivity
Not recorded
Behaviour
Temperament
Peaceful
Social needs
A shoal or group
Community suitability
Not for a community
Where it lives
Countries
Colombia
Supporting text
Etymology
Axelrodia: named for Dr. Herbert R. Axelrod. riesei: named for William Riese who collected this species alongside Dr. Axelrod.
Distribution
Type locality is 'Upper Río Meta basin, east of Villavicencio, Colombia', and this species is currently known only from the upper Meta. The Meta is a tributary…
Habitat
Said to be an inhabitant of blackwater environments but detailed information is lacking. Presumably it inhabits smaller, forested tributaries rather than large…
Aquarium size
Despite its small size minimum base dimensions of 60 ∗ 30 cm24 ∗ 12 in or equivalent are recommended for long-term care, though smaller aquaria can be used for…
Maintenance
Best-maintained in a well-structured set-up, ideally comprising a sandy substrate plus some driftwood roots and branches. The addition of dried leaf litter fur…
Water conditions
Not written yet
Diet
Probably a micropredator feeding on tiny invertebrates and other zooplankton in nature. In the aquarium it will normally accept dried foods of a suitably small…
Behaviour and compatibility
Peaceful with other species but does not make an ideal community fish due to its small size and somewhat specialised requirements Ideally it should be maintain…
Sexual dimorphism
Adult males are slightly smaller and more intensely-coloured than females. Sexually mature females appear rounder-bodied than males, especially when gravid. It…
Reproduction
Has been achieved and in a properly-structured, mature aquarium it's possible that small numbers of fry may start to appear without intervention. The main requ…
Notes
This species is less often seen than its congener A. stigmatias in the aquarium hobby, presumably a reflection of its more remote, restricted natural range. Th…
References
References
3 on this profile