Edit Characodon lateralis
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Name
Scientific name
Characodon lateralis
Described by
Authority Günther, Year 1866
Family
Goodeidae
Common names
Rainbow Characodon
Photograph credits
Not recorded
Summary
The rainbow characodon, Characodon lateralis, is a goodeid putatively restricted to springs below the El Saltito waterfall in Durango, Mexi…
Size and aquarium
Maximum size
65mm, standard length
Aquarium size
Minimum length 120 cm, Minimum depth 30 cm, Water movement Low: still or sluggish water
Water
Water conditions
Temperature 18–24°C, pH 6–8
Hardness
5–15dGH
Conductivity
Not recorded
Behaviour
Temperament
Not recorded
Social needs
A shoal or group
Community suitability
Not for a community
Where it lives
Countries, regions, rivers and lakes
Mexico, Mezquital
Writing
Etymology
Characodon: from the genus name Charax and Ancient Greek ὀδούς (odous), meaning ‘tooth’, in reference to the presence of a row of villiform teeth behind the in…
Distribution
Putatively restricted to a series of small habitats below the waterfall known as 'El Saltito' in the upper Río Mezquital basin, Durango state, central Mexico. …
Habitat
Mostly inhabits springs and their outflows a an altitude around 1800 m AMSL, and displays a preference for shallow water with little to no flow and abundant aq…
Aquarium size
An aquarium or container with minimum base dimensions of 120 ∗ 30 cm or equivalent is recommended.
Maintenance
It is essential to provide sufficient cover, ideally in the form of aquatic plants or filamentous algae, in order to restrict aggressive interactions between r…
Water conditions
Not written yet
Diet
Probably an omnivore feeding on small invertebrates, diatoms and algae in nature. In the aquarium it should be offered small live foods such as Daphnia and Art…
Behaviour and compatibility
Should ideally be maintained alone for breeding purposes, but can be kept alongside other species provided space is not limiting. Males are territorially aggre…
Sexual dimorphism
Males are more colourful than females and possess a modified anal-fin known as the andropodium which is used for sperm transfer during copulation. Females grow…
Reproduction
A matrotrophic livebearer that produces fully developed juveniles, which are supplied with nutrients through a placenta-like structure, the trophotaenia, prior…
Notes
In aquarium literature this species is also known as 'rainbow goodeid' and 'red prince', although by current thinking these names have also been applied to som…
References
References
11 on this profile