Mexican tetra (Astyanax mexicanus)

Scientific name: Astyanax mexicanus De Filippi, 1853

Mexican tetra (Astyanax mexicanus)

The Mexican tetra (Astyanax mexicanus) is a freshwater fish of the family Characidae.

Biology

Inhabits rocky and sandy bottoms of pools and backwaters of creeks and small to large rivers, and springs. Feeds on insects, crustaceans and worms. Migrates during winter to warmer areas.

Source: FishBase, licensed CC BY-NC 4.0.

Species facts

Scientific name
Astyanax mexicanus
Family
Characidae (Characins)
Order
Characiformes (Characins)
Class
Actinopterygii (Ray-finned fishes)
Maximum length
12.0
Common length
7.5
Environment
Freshwater; benthopelagic; potamodromous
Climate
Subtropical
Distribution
North America: originally restricted to the Nueces, lower Rio Grande and the lower Pecos River drainages in Texas, USA; now established elsewhere in Texas (primarily streams on Edwards Plateau) and New Mexico, USA (throughout Pecos River system); also in eastern and central Mexico.
Conservation status (IUCN)
Not Evaluated
Threat to humans
Harmless
Uses
Fisheries: of no interest; aquarium: commercial
Resilience
High, minimum population doubling time less than 15 months (Preliminary K or Fecundity.)

More tetras & characins

See all tetras & characins

Sources

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

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