Paracheirodon

Taxobox
name = "Paracheirodon"

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image_width = 250px
image_caption = Neon tetra ("P. innesi")
regnum = Animalia
phylum = Chordata
classis = Actinopterygii
ordo = Characiformes
familia = Characidae
genus = "Paracheirodon"
subdivision_ranks = Species
subdivision = "P. axelrodi" - Cardinal tetra
"P. innesi" - Neon tetra
"P. simulans" - Green neon tetra "Paracheirodon sp.

"Paracheirodon" is a genus of freshwater fish in the characin family (family Characidae) of order Characiformes. The type species is"Paracheirodon innesi," the well-known neon tetra, and the "Paracheirodon" species are among the fishes known as tetras. All species of this genus are native to the Neotropic ecozone, occurring in several rivers and streams in northern South America.

The "Paracheirodon" tetras reach maximum overall lengths of about 3 cm (1.25 in), and are of elongate tetra shape. All share a distinctive iridescent blue lateral line but differ slightly in their other coloration.

Preferring soft, acidic waters, these midwater shoaling fishes feed predominantly on small crustaceans, insects, worms, and zooplankton. When spawning, they scatter their eggs and guard neither eggs nor young.

The generic name "Paracheirodon" derives from the Greek "" (hand), and "" (teeth), prefixed with "" (beside) to distinguish from the similar characin genus "Cheirodon."

References

*FishBase_genus|genus=Paracheirodon|year=2004|month=October
*ITIS|ID=163036|taxon=Paracheirodon|year=2004|date=14 December