You must’ve seen that shiny, transparent fish in someone’s aquarium and wondered about its unique structure and temperament. Well, let me introduce you to “X-ray fish” and how they can become your best friends.
The Man & Meaning Behind X Ray Tetra Fish
The X-ray tetra, the only known species in its genus, was first discovered by American marine biologist Albert Ulrey in 1894. It is also known as X-ray Tetras, Pristella Maxillaris, Golden Pristella Tetras, and Water Goldfinches.
This popular aquarium fish is named X-ray because of its see-through skin, which reveals its internal organs and skeleton.
Lifespan & Size of The X ray Fish
X-ray fish thrive in freshwater and aquariums. They usually live for 2 to 5 years, depending on the habitat conditions.
These fish are quite small, reaching a height of 1.6 to 1.9 inches. Their backbone structure, known as the Weberian apparatus, helps them with their acute sense of hearing by picking up sound waves.
Although males and females look almost the same, females are slightly larger and rounder than most males.
Where Do X-ray Fish Live?
X-ray Tetra species are found in the Amazon River and coastal waters of South America. They prefer coast water because they can tolerate harder brackish water than other tetra species.
In dry, humid weather, the X-ray fish would spend time in freshwater streams and tributaries. Once the rainy season arrives, they are ready to move to much softer and more acidic water to start reproducing.
Reproduction Cycle of X-ray Fish
X-ray fish are popular around the world for their reproduction rate. A female X-ray Tetra can lay about 300-400 eggs, and it takes around 24 hours for the “fry” to hatch. Male X-rays are in charge of checking the tiny eggs and protecting them.
Once the fry is out, it easily starts to swim in a week or two. This marks the beginning of a small fish finding its own food sources and developing a unique personality.
What Sound Do X-ray Fish Make?
A variety of tetra fish are found in the wild, and they transmit sound waves to have excellent hearing power. However, X-ray fish don’t produce any noise or sound even when they want to communicate.
You might hear a slight “blub” when you see an X-ray fish eating their food, but it cannot make a sound naturally.
The Nature & Personality: Beginner Friendly Fish
X-ray fish are among the most peaceful and adaptable fish in an artificial setting. They get along with small animals and like living in schools. They are beginner-friendly and can live up to 6+ years in captivity.
However, they can become territorial and anxious in the presence of large, predatory fish, which can harm their well-being.
What Do X-ray Fish Eat?
This freshwater fish is an omnivorous animal that eats plants and animals. In the wild, it feeds upon insects, worms, aquatic plants, and small crustaceans like snails, while its baby X-rays, called fry, feed upon insect larvae.
When kept in an aquarium, X-ray fish accept all kinds of food, including flakes, pellets, freeze-dried foods, and live foods. If you’ve bought an X-ray fish and are unsure about its diet, try feeding brine shrimp, bloodworms, and a balance of flakes and pellets in moderation.
Compatibility With Other Species | X-ray Fish Tank Mates
X-ray fish can share a habitat with small and active fish like them. They can peacefully live with a list of fish, such as:
Small tetras
Apistogramma
Zebra Danios
Dwarf Barbs
Loricariids.
Guppies
Corydoras
Livebearers
Hatchet fish
Pencil fish
Mollie
The ideal tank mates for X-ray fish are other South American species that prefer the same conditions and diet to thrive.
X-ray Fish Aquarium Setup & Care
Setting up the aquarium for X-ray Tetras is one of the easiest tasks compared to other species. Here are some things you should be careful about:
The temperature should be maintained between 24-28°C.
They should be kept in a school of at least 6-7 individuals in 20 gallons of water.
The tank bottom should be filled with sand to recreate the natural habitat.
The ideal water conditions include a pH of 6.0-8.0 and hardness up to 18-25 dGH.
The aquarium must have vegetation for tetras to hide and lay eggs, such as Amazon sword plants.
The setup should be darker so the fish can reflect its naturally glowy body from the inside.
5 Fun Facts About Water Goldfinches
If you’re curious about marine life facts, read this section to get some insights on X-ray Tetras!
Tetras’ invisible skin blends in dense vegetation and protects them from large predators.
- They are among the fastest fish and are captured worldwide.
X-ray fish should be removed from their tanks after spawning as they can eat their eggs.
Due to habitat loss and pollution in the water (Amazon River), X-ray fish will soon be among the endangered species.
- They are known to be the calmest fish pet.
Wrapping Up
The X-ray Tetra is a native South American fish known to be one of the most adaptable species. It is transparent, with yellowy stripped skin that shines when reflected.
In addition, they are easy to care for, feed on worms and insects, and can live up to 2 to 5 years in the wild and 6 to 8 years in captivity.
