Hyphessobrycon axelrodi

Hyphessobrycon axelrodi
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Actinopterygii
Order: Characiformes
Family: Acestrorhamphidae
Genus: Hyphessobrycon
Species:
H. axelrodi
Binomial name
Hyphessobrycon axelrodi
(Travassos, 1959)
Synonyms[2]
  • Aphyocharax axelrodi Travassos, 1959
  • Megalamphodus cf. axelrodi Travassos, 1959

Hyphessobrycon axelrodi, the Calypso tetra, is a species of freshwater ray-finned fish belonging to the family Acestrorhamphidae, the American characins.[2] This fish is found in Trinidad & Tobago.

It was named in honor of pet-book publisher Herbert R. Axelrod (1927–2017), who collected the type specimen.[3]

Description

Hyphessobrycon axelrodi is a small, iridescent, silver fish with white-tipped dorsal, anal and pelvic fins. It also has a red tail. Females are duller, with faint gray-tipped fins and a dull pink tail.

Distribution

Hyphessobrycon axelrodi is endemic to the island of Trinidad. It inhabits low elevations in fresh and brackish waters near swampy areas.

References

  1. ^ Lyons, T.J. (2021). "Hyphessobrycon axelrodi". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2021 e.T125991772A125992064. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2021-1.RLTS.T125991772A125992064.en. Retrieved 20 November 2021.
  2. ^ a b Fricke, Ron; Eschmeyer, William N. & van der Laan, Richard (eds.). "Species in the genus Hyphessobrycon". Catalog of Fishes. California Academy of Sciences. Retrieved 29 October 2025.
  3. ^ Christopher Scharpf (3 October 2025). "Family ACESTRORHAMPHIDAE Eigenmann 1907 (American Tetras)". The ETYFish Project Fish Name Etymology Database. Retrieved 29 October 2025.