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Paracheirodon axelrodi, Schultz, 1956

Origin: Venezuela, Colombia, Brazil

Etymology: Named after H. R. Axelrod.

Synonyms:Hyphobressycon cardinalis, Cheirodon axelrodi

First European import: 1954.

Description:See pictures.

Care: Can be kept in normal community tanks, although the fish shouldn't be kept in hard water. The fish are best kept in school in slightly acidic or acidic soft water, with shaded areas and a dark soil.

Temperature:23-27 degrees.

Feeding:Omnivorous, al food is taken.

Size:Up to 5 cm.

pH: 4.5-6.5

Breeding:Difficult. Darkened 60-80 cm tank with only a small 15W lightbulb. As most fish are imported, and are kept at the wholesalers in brackish water, and after that have to spend some time in aquariumstores, many fish are unsuitable for breeding. Very soft(Boiled) water with a dGH below 2, and acidic peat filtered water, pH 4.5-5.5, is required. Remove the parents after spawning, fry will hatch in a day, and will be free swimming 4-5 days later. Fry are extremely small(500 eggs per female have been reported), and will only eat infusoria in the beginning.

Sexual dimorphism:Females have a more concave belly.

Prices:Netherlands: 1.5-2€

Additional:Paracheirodon axelrodi nowadays also occurs in the Manaus region, outside of it's natural habitat, where escaped fish from export stations have managed to survive and reproduce.

Picture references:Pictures: E. Naus

References:Baensch, H. A., Riehl, R.(1982): Aquarien Atlas I. Mergus Verlag, Melle, Germany.

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