Texan tetra (Astyanax argentatus), first described by Baird & Girard, 1854 is a small fish in the family Acestrorhamphidae (order Characiformes). Adults typically reach 11.40 cm in maximum length. It inhabits freshwater systems including rivers, streams, and lakes. It occurs in Tropical waters. It is broadly omnivorous, taking invertebrates, plant matter, and detritus. On the IUCN Red List, it is classified as Least Concern.The species is kept in the aquarium hobby. Care requirements and behaviour align broadly with other Acestrorhamphidae kept in the hobby.
Dorsal soft rays (total): 10; Anal soft rays: 19 - 23; Vertebrae: 32 - 33. This species is distinguished from other Astyanax species in central-northern Mexico by the following characters: A 19-23, mode 20 (21-25, mode 23, in A. mexicanus, 18-20, mode 18, in A. rioverde); modally 7 scale-rows between lateral line and dorsal-fin origin (modally 8 in A. mexicanus, A. acatlanensis); nuptial spines or tubercles, just on anal-fin rays, all simple (just on pelvic fins in A. rioverde, and at least some bifid in A. mexicanus, A. acatlanensis); body more slender than A. mexicanus, A. rioverde, mean 34% SL (vs mean 37% SL); anterior fontanel, sharp-tipped (blunt in A. mexicanus); infraorbital IV, rectangular, with no projections (square, with projections in A. acatlanensis, A. mexicanus, A. tehuacanensis); ventral side of ceratohyal, straight (vs undulate). Posterior edge of interopercle, without a spine (with a spine in A. mexicanus, A. tehuacanensis); postcleithrum caudad process concave-sided (straight in A. mexicanus); largest hypuric plate, rostral border straight (concave in A. mexicanus) .Cross section: compressed.
Behavioural data for Texan tetra is currently being reviewed.
Freshwater; benthopelagic. Tropical North America: USA and northern Mexico.
The following diseases are known to affect Texan tetra.
No observations yet - be the first to log one!
View all observations for Texan tetra ↗Spotted incorrect or outdated data? Submit a correction and our editorial team will review it. Approved edits go live within 48 hours.
Found a factual error, broken data, or inappropriate content? Let us know and we will investigate promptly.