Petitella bleheri (Géry & Mahnert, 1986)
Firehead tetra
Petitella bleheri
photo by Muséum-Aquarium de Nancy/B. Alenda

Family:  Characidae (Characins; tetras), subfamily: Stethaprioninae
Max. size:  3.6 cm SL (male/unsexed)
Environment:  benthopelagic; freshwater; pH range: 5 - 6; dH range: 5 - 12
Distribution:  South America: Negro and Meta River basins.
Diagnosis:  This species is distinguished from its congeners by the following characters: head with a much more intense and widespread red color, extending up to the humeral region (vs. limited red coloration and not extending to humeral region in georgiae, rhodostoma); horizontal black bar on the end of the caudal peduncle is never prolonged forward (vs. prolonged up to the anal-fin in georgiae, rhodostoma); anal-fin hyaline (vs. a black bar present on the base of the anterior part of the anal-fin, continuing obliquely on the branched rays in georgiae, rhodostoma) (Ref. 127081).
Biology: 
IUCN Red List Status: Least Concern (LC); Date assessed: 04 March 2021 Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless


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