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💧 Freshwater Least Concern 🍽️ Edible 🐠 Aquarium 🌡️ Tropical

X-ray tetra

Pristella maxillaris Ulrey, 1894
Max Length
4.5 cm
Max Weight
-
Lifespan
-
Trophic Level
3.2
Depth
-
Climate
Tropical
Resilience
High
Vulnerability
10.00/100
Typical Length
-
Depth Zone
pelagic

📖 Overview

Gregarious and non-aggressive. Occur in calm coastal waters ; in densely vegetated swamps. Feed on worms, small crustaceans and insects . Are popular among aquarists because of their robustness, peaceful character, and delicate colors . Reproduction is easily carried out, 300 to 400 eggs are obtained per spawn . Aquarium keeping: in groups of 5 or more individuals; minimum aquarium size 60 cm .

Scientific Name
Pristella maxillaris
Authority
Ulrey, 1894
Habitat
Freshwater
Climate
Tropical
Body Shape
Fusiform / normal
IUCN Status
LC
Max Length
4.5 cm
Trophic Level
3.2
Resilience
High
Vulnerability
10.00/100
Water Temp
24–28 °C
Salinity
0–0.5 ppt

🐟 Physical Description

Humeral spot round and small, about the size of the pupil; the dorsal fin black spot is over lined with white and underlined with yellow, color patterns of pelvic and anal fins are symmetrical; adipose fin is hyaline .: fusiform / normal; Cross section: oval.

🌀 Behaviour

Behavioural data for X-ray tetra is currently being reviewed.

🦐 Diet

aquatic invertebrates
small fish
algae
detritus

🥚 Reproduction

🐣 Oviparous
Spawning Season
spring
Spawn Location
Substrate
Fertilization
External

🌍 Habitat & Distribution

Freshwater; pelagic; pH range: 6.0 - 8.0; dH range: ? - 35. Tropical; 24°C - 28°C South America: Amazon, Orinoco, and coastal river drainages of the Guianas.

🌿 Ecology

Zone Preferences
💧 Freshwater 🐟 Pelagic
Trophic Level
3.2±0.37
Food Items

worms, small crustaceans and insects (Ref

📐 Morphometrics

Length–Weight Relationship: W = 0.01202 × L3.05 (TL)
Max TL
4.5cm

🌡️ Water Parameters & Tolerance

Temperature Range
24–28°C
pH Range
6–8
Salinity Range
0–0.5ppt

🛡️ Conservation Assessment

IUCN Category
Least Concern
Assessment Date
2020

📊 Population Risk & Fisheries

Population Resilience
High
Minimum doubling time
Fishing Vulnerability
10.00/100
Low vulnerability
Trophic Level
3.2
Predator
Body Shape
Fusiform / normal
Climate Zone
Tropical
Described By
Ulrey, 1894

🍽️ Edibility & Flavour

"X-ray tetra is an edible species."

✗ Not for Raw
✓ Fresh Indicators
  • Clear, bright eyes — cloudy eyes indicate age
  • Firm flesh that springs back when pressed
  • Fresh ocean smell, never strong or ammonia-like
  • Bright red or pink gills, not grey or brown
  • Shiny, moist skin with scales tightly attached
✗ Avoid If
  • Cloudy or sunken eyes
  • Strong fishy or ammonia odour
  • Soft, mushy flesh that doesn't spring back
  • Discoloured or dry flesh
Best Cooking Methods
Baking Grilling Pan-frying

⚡ Nutrition

Detailed nutritional data for X-ray tetra is currently being compiled from USDA FoodData Central.

🔬 Mercury Safety

Mercury data for X-ray tetra has not yet been assigned. Please consult FDA/EPA guidance for general seafood safety advice.

🌿 Sustainability

Best Choice
Healthy stocks, low impact
Good Alternative
Well-managed, minor concerns
Use Caution
Check sourcing and season
Avoid
Overfished or high impact
✓ Sustainable Choice

🔬 Full Nutritional Profile

Per 100g - Raw, per 100g - Source: USDA FoodData Central templates (generic fish average)

Proximate Composition
Energy125 kcal
Moisture75 %
Protein20 %
Total Fat4 %
Ash1.3 %
Fatty Acids (g)
Saturated Fat1 g
Monounsaturated Fat1.2 g
Polyunsaturated Fat1.5 g
Omega-3 Total1 g
EPA0.3 g
DHA0.5 g
Omega-6 Total0.3 g
Key Minerals & Vitamins
Calcium20 mg
Iron0.7 mg
Magnesium30 mg
Phosphorus220 mg
Potassium380 mg
Sodium55 mg
Zinc0.5 mg
Selenium32 µg
Vitamin B122 µg

📊 Population Dynamics

Year Region Index Notes
- - -

🌐 Names & Taxonomy

Scientific Synonyms

Scientific Name Author Year Status
Aphyocarax maxillaris Ulrey 1894 Synonym
Aphyocharax maxillaris Ulrey 1894 Synonym
Holopristes riddlei Meek 1907 Synonym
Holopristis riddlei Meek 1907 Synonym
Pristella riddlei Meek 1907 Synonym

🗺️ Global Occurrence Map

Occurrence records from the Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF) - 126 records indexed .

Occurrence density from GBIF View GBIF records ↗

👥 Community & Contribute

Aquareap Community Observations
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