Photo: Thomas Siems, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Ruby tetra
Axelrodia riesei
2 cm
Adult size
70 L
Minimum volume
10
Minimum group
4 years
Lifespan
Water parameters
Understand these values- Genus
- Axelrodia
- Diet
- carnivore
- Social life
- shoal
In the wild
Overview
The ruby tetra owes its genus to Dr Herbert R. Axelrod and its species name to William Riese, who collected it together. Bright red in the wild, it often fades in the aquarium. It is sold more rarely than its cousin A. stigmatias.
- Scientific name
- Axelrodia riesei Géry, 1966
- Classification
- Characiformes › Acestrorhamphidae
- IUCN Red List
- Least concern (LC)
Natural habitat
Colombia: upper Río Meta basin (Orinoco system)
Observations (GBIF) and localities Native countries Rivers and lakes
It is thought to be linked to the black waters of small forest tributaries of the upper Río Meta, but field data are lacking.
Behaviour
Peaceful but tiny and demanding, it is kept alone or with very small characins and peaceful catfish. Gregarious without forming a tight shoal, its males contest small territories: a group of at least 8 to 10 makes it less fearful. A micro-predator, it needs small live or frozen prey and very stable water.
Sources:FishBase Seriously Fish GBIF · Base map: Natural Earth