Haben Sie ein Foto? Bestimmen Sie Fische sofort mit der Fishby-App.
App öffnenBeschreibung
Axelrodia riesei, commonly known as the Ruby Tetra or Rubinzalm, is a small, characin fish belonging to the family Characidae. It is highly prized in the aquarium trade for its striking coloration and peaceful demeanor. This species is characterized by its diminutive size and vibrant red to ruby-red body coloration, which intensifies under optimal conditions and during breeding. It exhibits a typical characin body plan, being somewhat compressed laterally with a small adipose fin.
Körperliche Merkmale
- Körperform
- compressed
- Färbung
- The body is predominantly a vibrant ruby-red to deep red, often with iridescent scales that shimmer under light. The intensity of the red coloration can vary depending on diet, water parameters, and stress levels. Fins are typically translucent, sometimes with a reddish tint. Some individuals may exhibit a faint dark lateral line, though this is often obscured by the intense red pigmentation.
- Schuppentyp
- cycloid
- Maulstellung
- terminal
- Besondere Merkmale
- Small size, typically reaching a maximum standard length of 2.5-3.0 cm (1.0-1.2 inches)., Intense ruby-red body coloration., Presence of a small adipose fin, characteristic of characins., Relatively deep body for its length compared to some other small tetras.
- Rückenflosse
- Single, relatively short dorsal fin, typically with 2 unbranched and 8-9 branched rays.
- Schwanzflosse
- Forked caudal fin, symmetrical lobes.
- Brustflosse
- Small, clear pectoral fins.
- Auffällige Flossen
- Small adipose fin present between the dorsal and caudal fins.
Bestimmungstipps
Size and Coloration
Its small size (under 3 cm) combined with its intense ruby-red body is a primary identifier. Few other small characins exhibit such a uniform and vivid red hue.
Adipose Fin
The presence of a small adipose fin confirms its classification within the Characidae family, distinguishing it from some other small, red-colored fish that lack this feature.
Body Shape
Its somewhat compressed and relatively deep body, compared to more slender tetras, can aid in identification.
Behavior
Observing its schooling behavior and peaceful nature in an appropriate habitat can also be indicative.
Lebensraum
- Wassertyp
- freshwater
- Tiefe
- Typically found in shallow, slow-moving waters near the banks of rivers and streams.
- Umgebung
- Native to blackwater environments, characterized by soft, acidic water stained with tannins from decaying vegetation. They inhabit areas with dense aquatic vegetation, submerged roots, and leaf litter, which provide cover and foraging opportunities. These environments often have low light penetration.
- Geografische Verbreitung
- Endemic to South America, specifically found in the upper Rio Negro basin in Brazil and Colombia, and potentially in adjacent drainages. Its distribution is primarily within the Amazon rainforest region.
Aquarieninformationen
- Pflegeaufwand: intermediate
- Temperament: peaceful
- Ernährung: omnivore
- Mindestbeckengröße: 30 liters (8 gallons)
- Temperatur: 22-28°C (72-82°F)
- pH-Wert: 5.5-7.0
- Härte: 1-10 dGH
- Verträglichkeit: Excellent for community tanks with other small, peaceful fish such as other small tetras, rasboras, dwarf cichlids, and corydoras. Avoid housing with large or aggressive species that may prey on them.
- Besondere Anforderungen: Requires a well-planted aquarium with subdued lighting and dark substrate to bring out its best coloration. Peat filtration or botanicals (e.g., catappa leaves) can help maintain soft, acidic 'blackwater' conditions, which mimic their natural habitat and are beneficial for their health and breeding. They are schooling fish and should be kept in groups of at least 6-10 individuals to reduce stress and encourage natural behavior.
Informationen zum Wildbestand
- Erhaltungszustand: least concern
- Saisonalität: No specific seasonal patterns for availability in the aquarium trade, as most are captive-bred or collected year-round from stable populations.
- Marktpreis: Varies, typically low to moderate for individual fish, but higher for wild-caught specimens or larger groups.
- Kommerzielle Bedeutung: medium
- Geschmack: Not typically consumed due to its small size.
- Textur: Not typically consumed due to its small size.
- Nährwert: Not typically consumed due to its small size.
Wichtige Fakten
Named Afterinteresting
The species epithet 'riesei' honors Dr. Herbert Riese, a German ichthyologist and collector who contributed significantly to the knowledge of South American fishes.
Blackwater Specialistbehavior
Axelrodia riesei thrives in blackwater conditions, which are characterized by low pH, low hardness, and the presence of humic substances from decaying organic matter. These conditions are crucial for their health and vibrant coloration.
Micro-predatorbehavior
Despite their small size, Ruby Tetras are micro-predators in their natural habitat, feeding on small invertebrates, insect larvae, and zooplankton. This dietary preference should be reflected in their aquarium diet.
Aquarium Geminteresting
Due to their stunning coloration, peaceful nature, and small size, Ruby Tetras are highly sought after by aquarists, particularly those interested in planted aquariums or 'nano' tanks.
Sicherheitsinformationen
Sicher- Sicherheitsstufe: safe
- Giftig: Nein
- Essbarkeit: not recommended
- Hinweise zum Umgang: No specific handling precautions are required beyond standard fish care. They are delicate due to their small size and should be handled gently with a fine-mesh net if transfer is necessary.
Ähnliche Arten
Red Phantom Tetra
Hyphessobrycon sweglesi
Larger in size (up to 4.5 cm), typically has a more pronounced black spot behind the gill cover and a black dorsal fin with a white tip. The red coloration is often less uniform and more concentrated on the fins and anterior body.
Serpae Tetra
Hyphessobrycon eques
Significantly larger (up to 4 cm), possesses a distinct black humeral spot, and often has black markings on the dorsal and anal fins. Its red is typically a deeper, more brick-red, and it can be more nippy than the Ruby Tetra.
Glowlight Tetra
Hemigrammus erythrozonus
Characterized by a prominent iridescent orange-red stripe running horizontally along its body, rather than a uniform red body coloration. It is also slightly larger (up to 4 cm).
Wissenschaftliche Klassifikation
- Reich
- Animalia
- Stamm
- Chordata
- Klasse
- Actinopterygii
- Ordnung
- Characiformes
- Familie
- Characidae
- Gattung
- Axelrodia
- Art
- Axelrodia riesei
Rubinzalm entdecken
Fische überall bestimmen
Kostenlos für iOS, Android und Web. Fotobestimmung, vollständige Artendetails und mehr.