Blind tetra (Stygichthys typhlops)

Scientific name: Stygichthys typhlops Brittan & B?hlke, 1965

The Blind tetra (Stygichthys typhlops) is a freshwater fish of the family Characidae. Native range: South America, upper S?o Francisco River basin in Minas Gerais, Brazil.

Biology

The specimens were collected from two shallow wells, at Fazenda do Seu Roque which is still occasionally used as a source of water for cattle, and the shallow, abandoned well at Fazenda do Lajeado. Both have similar physico-chemical characteristics, with the pH and conductivity typical of limestone drainages (Fazenda do Seu Roque: pH 6.98, conductivity 0.683 ?sm cm-1, 25?3?C and salinity 0?02; Fazenda do Lajeado: pH 7?0, conductivity 0?647 ?sm cm-1, 25?8? C and salinity 0?02%). Laboratory and field observations demonstrate that this species is predominantly a midwater swimmer; when undisturbed, it remains almost stationary in midwater, with the body inclined at a 10-40? angle, head facing either up or down, or moving slowly, with the mouth slightly open. It is apparently solitary and when in groups (in laboratory), they remain indifferent to each other, not schooling and if there is contact by chance, it is followed by mutual avoidance movements, usually (but not always) with the sma

Source: FishBase, licensed CC BY-NC 4.0.

Species facts

Scientific name
Stygichthys typhlops
Family
Characidae (Characins)
Order
Characiformes (Characins)
Class
Actinopterygii (Ray-finned fishes)
Maximum length
2.4
Environment
Freshwater; pelagic
Climate
Tropical
Distribution
South America: upper S?o Francisco River basin in Minas Gerais, Brazil.
Conservation status (IUCN)
Data deficient (DD)
Threat to humans
Harmless
Resilience
High, minimum population doubling time less than 15 months (Preliminary K or Fecundity.)

Sources

Taxonomy, distribution and biology data: FishBase (Froese, R. and D. Pauly, eds.), licensed CC BY-NC 4.0.

Last updated