[Ebook] 500 freshwater aquarium fish – Characoids – Golden Trahira (Hoplerythrinus unitaeniatus)

The large number of names by which this species has been referred to in scientific and other literature indicates the difficulty encountered when dealing with a widely distributed and variable species. The Golden Trahira is unusual for a characoid in that it lacks an adipose fin. Other features include a thick layer of slippery body mucus and an ability to use its swimbladder as an auxiliary respiratory organ. The Golden Trahira is most definitely a fish for the specialist.

Other common name

• Blackband Predator Characin

Synonyms

• Erythrinus unitaeniatus, E. gronovii, E. kessleri, E. salvus, E. vittatus

Family

• Erythrinidae

Distribution

• Guyana, Paraguay, Trinidad, and Venezuela.

Size

• Up to 16in (40cm).

Behavior

• Solitary predator; can be kept with larger fish.

Diet

• Livefoods, including fish —a factor that needs to be considered prior to obtaining a specimen. May be weaned onto dead/ frozen foods and some chunky commercial diets.

Aquarium

• Large, well covered, well filtered, with hiding places and robust plants recommended. Water chemistry not critical. Temperature range: 72-81 °F (22-27 °C).

Breeding

• No documented accounts of aquarium breeding currently available.