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  • Astyanax mexicanus
  • Astyanax mexicanus
Hop to next section All Fishes Data Sheet
Scientific Name Astyanax mexicanus    (De Filippi, 1853)
Common Names Banded Astyanax
Blind Cave Tetra, Mexican Tetra
Type Locality A lake near Mexico [probably Lake Tequesquitengo, Pacific drainage, Mexico].
Synonym(s) Astianax mexicanus, Astyanax argentatus, Astyanax brevimanus, Astyanax fasciatus mexicanus, Astyanax petenensis, Tetragonopterus brevimanus, Tetragonopterus fulgens, Tetragonopterus mexicanus, Tetragonopterus nitidus, Tetragonopterus petenensis, Tetragonopterus streetsii
Etymology Astyanax: The name of Astyanax, Hector´s son in the Greek mythology 
Hop to next section Species Information
Size 120mm or 4.7" SL. Find near, nearer or same sized spp.
Identification The cave tetra is the blind cave form of the Mexican tetra.
General Remarks The fish are born with eyes, but they quickly deteriorate leaving behind two scars where the eyes once were.
Hop to next section Habitat Information
Distribution North America: originally restricted to the Nueces, lower Rio Grande and the lower Pecos River drainages in Texas, USA; now established elsewhere in Texas (primarily streams on Edwards Plateau) and New Mexico, USA (throughout Pecos River system); also in eastern and central Mexico.
IUCN Red List Category
Least Concern
, range map and more is available on the IUCN species page. Last assessed 2011.
Hop to next section Husbandry Information
Compatibility The blind cave tetra is easy to care for and is hardy.
Breeding Reports There is no breeding report.
Hop to next section Further Information
Reference Revue et Magasin de Zoologie (Sér. 2) v. 5, pp 166 [3].
Registered Keepers There is no registered keeper.
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There is but a single record of this fish being seen, view it.
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Astyanax mexicanus QR code LFS label creator
ARN ref:4.249.811.4924
Last Update 2025 Jan 01 12:53 (species record created: 2013 Jun 13 23:47)