Pyrrhulina laeta
| Pyrrhulina laeta | |
|---|---|
Scientific classification 
| |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Actinopterygii |
| Order: | Characiformes |
| Family: | Lebiasinidae |
| Genus: | Pyrrhulina |
| Species: | P. laeta
|
| Binomial name | |
| Pyrrhulina laeta (Cope, 1872)
| |
| Synonyms [2] | |
|
Holotaxis laetus Cope, 1872 | |
Pyrrhulina laeta, the half-banded pyrrhulina or half-lined pyrrhulina, is a species of freshwater ray-finned fish belonging to the family Lebiasinidae, which includes the pencilfishes, splash tetras and related fishes.[3] This fish is found near Pebas, Peru, and in tributaries of the Ampiyacu River.[2] It is frequently confused with other species.[2]
Physical appearance
The ocellated dorsal fin is the most attractive attribute. The back is pale olive, becoming silvery toward the belly. A fine, black line runs from the snout, across the eye to the end of the gill cover, then thickens to a wide band along the body, which suggests its common name, the half-banded pyrrulina. Other fins show blushes of red.[4]
In captivity
A mature male has a more elongated upper caudal fin lobe than the mature female.[4] No record exists of breeding this species in captivity, but the feat is believed possible. The species is not attractive enough to warrant a thorough and intensive effort at breeding, yet with the great contrast of breeding habits in this family it might be interesting to try to induce them to spawn in captivity.[4]
References
- ^ Varella, H.R. (2023). "Pyrrhulina laeta". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2023: e.T49830535A53818498. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2023-1.RLTS.T49830535A53818498.en. Retrieved 8 August 2025.
- ^ a b c Roberto E. Reis, Sven O. Kullander & Carl J. Ferraris (2003). "Pyrrhulina laeta (Cope, 1872)". Check list of the freshwater fishes of South and Central America. EDIPUCRS. p. 248. ISBN 978-85-7430-361-1.
- ^ Eschmeyer, William N.; Fricke, Ron & van der Laan, Richard (eds.). "Species in the genus Pyrrhulina". Catalog of Fishes. California Academy of Sciences. Retrieved 8 August 2025.
- ^ a b c Herbert R. Axelrod & Leonard Peter Schultz (1983). Handbook of Tropical Aquarium Fishes. Neptune City, NJ: T. F. H. Publications. p. 256. ISBN 0-86622-138-7.