X-ray tetra
Pristella maxillaris
X-ray tetra (Pristella maxillaris) is a freshwater and brackish-water species with an adult-size reference of about 5 cm. It needs at least 60 litres and 8 individuals, with its social and territorial profile taken into account.
Temperatura da água
24 - 28 °C
Valor de pH
6 - 8
Tipo de água
Água doce / Água salobra
Nível do tanque
Meio
Tamanho adulto
5 cm
Volume mínimo do tanque
>= 60 L
Grupo mínimo
>= 8
GH
2 - 20 dGH
KH
1 - 10 dKH
TDS
40 - 400 ppm
Condutividade
63 - 625 uS/cm
Descrição da espécie
Geographical Origin and Habitat: A freshwater and brackish-water species; the enclosure should provide stability, oxygenation, space and shelter consistent with its behaviour without turning one habitat description into a mandatory recipe.
Taxonomy and Morphology: The accepted scientific name is Pristella maxillaris; the verified classification records genus Pristella, family Acestrorhamphidae, subfamily Pristellinae, order Characiformes. Historical names remain searchable as synonyms rather than separate species.
Social Behavior: X-ray tetra is gregarious and should be kept in a school. The minimum reference is 8 individuals; sex, maturity and available space can require a more conservative composition. Observe access to food, resting behaviour, chasing and use of shelter. Isolation, persistent competition or aggression means the number, composition or environment needs to be corrected.
Coloration and Sexual Dimorphism: Colour and shape can vary with age, sex, physiological state and environmental conditions. Identification and sexing require recognized species-level characters; one appearance or photograph is not enough.
Cuidado, criação e companheiros de tanque
Aquarium Setup: X-ray tetra needs an aquarium of at least 60 litres, sized for adult body size and a minimum group of 8 individuals. Filtration, shelter and swimming room must match the species and the actual number kept. Volume alone does not make an enclosure suitable: tank shape and length, usable area, oxygenation and the ability to separate territories must reflect adult behaviour.
Diet and Feeding: The recorded diet is omnivorous. Offer appropriately sized foods varied within that category, and adjust quantity and frequency from actual intake, body condition and leftovers. One food or a fixed schedule is not suitable for every age and situation.
Water Quality: Maintain stable, well-oxygenated water appropriate to a freshwater and brackish-water species; the card's reference values are 24–28 °C, pH 6–8. Verify conditions with reliable tests and size maintenance and filtration to the actual load. Ranges are not automatic thresholds for treatment or rapid chemical correction.
Compatibility and Cohabitation: The cohabitation profile is suitable for a compatible community, with a generally peaceful temperament. Keep at least 8 individuals; tankmates, stocking density and decor must allow escape, rest and feeding without excessive competition. Watch interactions especially during feeding, maturity and breeding. Persistent chasing, injury or exclusion from food requires a change in stocking or layout, or separation of the animals.
Aquarium Breeding: The recorded reproductive profile is “oviparity”. Breeding should be attempted only with healthy adults, separation capacity and a plan for eggs or young. Do not treat unverified triggers, sex ratios or hatch times as universal for this species.
Risks and Diseases: Prevent problems through quarantine of new arrivals, stable water, appropriate feeding and daily observation. Similar signs can have different causes, so check parameters, history and diagnosis before medication. Follow the product label and qualified aquatic-veterinary advice; there is no universal reduced dose for a species or family.
Origem e distribuição geográfica
A freshwater and brackish-water species; the enclosure should provide stability, oxygenation, space and shelter consistent with its behaviour without turning one habitat description into a mandatory recipe.
Origem
Amazônia, Orinoco e Guianas
Perfil de peixe
- Temperamento
- Peaceful
- X-ray tetra has a generally peaceful temperament. Insufficient space, an unsuitable social ratio or incompatible tankmates can substantially change observed behaviour.
- Dieta
- Omnivore
- This species is an omnivorous micro-predator in the wild, feeding on small insects, worms, and crustaceans. In captivity, they readily accept a wide variety of high-quality dry foods such as micro-pellets and crushed flakes. To ensure optimal health and coloration, their diet should be supplemented with live or frozen foods like daphnia, brine shrimp, and bloodworms. A varied diet is essential for bringing out their best colors and promoting breeding behavior.
- Expectativa de vida
- 3-5 years
- Tamanho adulto
- 5 cm
- Proporção sexual
- School
- X-ray tetra is gregarious and should be kept in a school. The reference minimum is 8 individuals and must not be read as permission to overcrowd the aquarium.
- Frequência de alimentação
- Twice daily
- Pristella maxillaris should be fed small amounts two to three times a day. Each feeding should consist only of what they can consume within two to three minutes to prevent water fouling. Overfeeding should be strictly avoided as it can lead to obesity and compromised water quality. Fasting them one day a week can also help clear their digestive tract and maintain long-term health.
- Carga biológica
- Low
- Pristella maxillaris produces a very small amount of bioload due to their diminutive size and efficient metabolism. A well-maintained filtration system is more than adequate for a sizeable school without overwhelming the biological cycle. They are highly adaptable and do not generate significant waste, making them excellent candidates for smaller or heavily planted aquariums. Regular partial water changes will easily keep nitrates in check and maintain pristine conditions.
- Fluxo
- Strong
- They naturally inhabit sluggish streams and tributaries, so they prefer a gentle to moderate water flow in the aquarium. Strong currents can exhaust these small fish and cause unnecessary stress. Using a spray bar or adjusting the filter output can help create a calm environment that mimics their natural habitat. Providing areas of still water behind driftwood or dense plantings is highly recommended.
- Risco de salto
- No
- Reprodução
- Oviparous
- Breeding the X-ray tetra is relatively straightforward, as they are egg scatterers that provide no parental care. A separate breeding tank with dim lighting, soft water, and fine-leaved plants or a spawning mop is necessary. After a successful spawning event in the early morning, the adults must be removed immediately to prevent them from eating the eggs. The fry will hatch in a few days and require infusoria or specialized liquid fry food before graduating to baby brine shrimp.
- Compatibilidade e companheiros de tanque
- Community
- The cohabitation profile is suitable for a compatible community, with a generally peaceful temperament. Keep at least 8 individuals; tankmates, stocking density and decor must allow escape, rest and feeding without excessive competition. Watch interactions especially during feeding, maturity and breeding. Persistent chasing, injury or exclusion from food requires a change in stocking or layout, or separation of the animals.
- Nível do tanque
- Middle
- Pristella maxillaris predominantly occupies the middle and mid-to-lower levels of the water column. They enjoy darting in and out of plant thickets while remaining visible in open swimming spaces. Providing a balanced layout with tall background plants and open central areas suits their behavior perfectly. They rarely venture to the extreme top or bottom unless feeding.
Modelos e parâmetros científicos
FishBase
Acesso aos dados científicos oficiais da espécie
FishBase v25.04Dados sincronizados em: 15/06/2026
- Nível trófico
- 3,2 ± 0,37 se
- Resiliência
- Alta (menos de 15 meses)
- Unicidade filogenética (PD50)
- 0.75
- Relação bayesiana comprimento-peso
- a = 0.0123, b = 3.05
- VulnerabilidadeVulnerabilidade baixa (10 / 100)
Galeria de imagens
Imagens licenciadas vinculadas à espécie ou, quando marcadas, ao táxon representativo mais próximo.
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