Poecilocharax weitzmani

{{Short description|Species of ray-finned fish}}

{{Speciesbox

| image = Crenuchidae Poeciliocharax weitzmani.jpg

| status = LC

| status_system = IUCN3.1

| status_ref = {{cite iucn |author=Salvador, G.N. |year=2023 |title=Poecilocharax weitzmani |page=e.T49830227A160259921 |doi=10.2305/IUCN.UK.2023-1.RLTS.T49830227A160259921.en |access-date=7 June 2025}}

| taxon = Poecilocharax weitzmani

| authority = Géry, 1965

}}

Poecilocharax weitzmani, the black morpho tetra or black darter tetra, is a species of characid found in South America.{{Cite web |title=Poecilocharax weitzmani summary page |url=https://fishbase.se/summary/12395 |access-date=2025-02-06 |website=FishBase |language=en}} The fish was first discovered in 1965.{{Cite journal |last=Géry |first=J |date=1965 |title=Poissons characoïdes sud-américains du Senckenberg Muséum, II. Characidae et Crenuchidae de l'Igarapé Préto (Haute Amazonie) |journal=Senckenbergiana Biologica |volume=46 |issue=3 |pages=195-218}}

Description and behavior

The black morpho tetra is a small finned fish. The fish typically reaches {{Convert|40|-|50|mm|abbr=on}} in length, although they have been recorded growing as large as {{Convert|4|cm|abbr=on}}.{{Cite web |title=Poecilocharax weitzmani (Black Darter Tetra) — Seriously Fish |url=https://www.seriouslyfish.com/species/poecilocharax-weitzmani/ |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20231017063242/https://www.seriouslyfish.com/species/poecilocharax-weitzmani/ |archive-date=2023-10-17 |access-date=2025-02-06 |website=www.seriouslyfish.com}} The black morpho tetra demonstrates significant sexual dimorphism, with males growing longer and more colorful dorsal and anal fins.{{Cite web |last=Aquadiction |date=2020-10-14 |title=Black Darter Tetra - Poecilocharax weitzmani Fish Profile & Care Guide |url=https://aquadiction.world/species-spotlight/black-darter-tetra/ |access-date=2025-02-06 |website=Aquadiction |language=en}}

Unlike many other small characids, the black morpho tetra does not form schools. Males have a tendency to show territorial aggression towards one another.

Aquarium trade

Black morpho tetras have successfully been kept in aquariums. They prefer soft and acidic water parameters. They may have difficulty competing for food with more voracious tank mates. Although uncommon, the fish has been reported to have successfully been bred in captivity.

References

{{Reflist}}

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Category:Tetras

Category:Fish described in 1965

weitzmani