Species:  Austrolebias alexandri
Description: Castello & Lopez, 1974
Etymology: "Alexander's Pearlfish"
References: Costa, W.J.E.M. (1995) Pearl Killifishes: The Cynolebiatinae Systematics and Biogeography of a Neotropical Annual Fish Subfamily (Cyprinodontiformes: Rivulidae). TFH. pg 64

Dr Lothar Seegers, Killifishes of the World: New World Killis, Aqualog Verlag pg 89-90

The Austrolebias alexandri Species Group: A Taxonomical Revision of an Annual Fish Clade (Cyprinodontiformes: Rivulidae). Wilson J. E. M. Costa; Volume 15 - 2002, Comunicações do MCT.
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Abstract: The clade Austrolebias alexandri species group has been revised based on large new collections made in southern Brazil and examination of type specimens. It is a morphologically homogeneous group, and its monophyletic condition supported by light dots concentrated on the subdistal zone of the dorsal fin of male, and spots of the posterior portion of the caudal peduncle of female darker than spots of other parts of body side. Five valid species are recognized: Austrolebias alexandri (Castello & Lopez), from the rio Uruguay floodplains, in Brazil, Argentina and Uruguay; Austrolebias ibicuiensis (Costa) and Austrolebias periodicus (Costa), both from the rio Ibicuí drainage, rio Uruguay basin, Brazil; Austrolebias cyaneus (Amato), from the rio Jacuí basin, laguna dos Patos system, Brazil; and, Austrolebias affinis (Amato), from the rio Negro drainage, rio Uruguay basin, Brazil and Uruguay.
Synonyms:
  • "Entre Rios Pearlfish / Alexander's Pearlfish"
  • Cynolebias alexandri
  • Cynolebias nigripinnis alexandri
  • Cynolebias sp. Alexanderi
    		•
    Type Locality: Parque Unzue, Gualeguaychú, Entre Rios, Argentina
    Distribution: Floodplains of the Rio Uruguay basin including N.E. Argentina, W. Uruguay and S. Brazil.
    Biotope:  
    Size: Males 6 - 6.5 cm, females 5 cm.
    Characteristics: Beautiful fish! Overall appearance greenish-blue with thin dark vertical stripes on the body and fins similar to nigripinnis though larger. The turquoise colour is intensified when the males are in good breeding condition and well fed.
    Variations:  
    History:
  • Description (Castello & Lopez, 1974)
  • Cynolebias sp. Alexanderi Terceira (1974):58
  • Cynolebias nigripinnis alexandri Riehl & Baensch (1982):550
  • Cynolebias alexandri Lazara (1984):54
  • Axelrod et al. (1989):267
  • Sakurai, Sakamoto & Mori (1993):224
  • Costa (1995):64
  • Wildekamp (1995):174
  • Austrolebias genus (Costa, 1998)
  • Seegers (2000):89
    		•
    Gallery:  
    Populations:
  • "Ceibas" (Entre Ríos, Argentina)
  • "Gualeguay" (Entre Ríos, Argentina)
  • "Gualeguaychú" (F1 available in BAKA meeting Feb1998)
  • "Los Lapachitos" (Entre Rios, Argentina)
  • "Ruta 12"
  • "San Javier" (F1 available in BAKA meeting Feb1998 F1 available 2004-2005 Heber Salvia)
    • Breeding: Bottom spawner. Very active with the males in breeding setups displaying frequently. When in peak breeding condition they have voracious appetites and will easily devourer 20+ white worm at one sitting.

    "Los Lapachitos" population:

    It is reported that difficulties are encountered with the sex ratio skewed 10:1 towards males. More details are required (currently monitoring some batches of fry, March 2003). This location is not very prolific, only producing 10 - 15 eggs per week when kept at 20ºC and well fed on live white worms, frozen bloodworm and flake. Good hatches after incubating for 16 weeks at 21ºC. See article.
    Incubation: [20 - 21ºC] 12 - 13 weeks

    [24ºC] 6 - 8 weeks

    "Los Lapchitos"

    [20 - 21ºC] 14 - 16 weeks

    [24ºC] 8 - 10 weeks
    Egg Diameter: 1.2 - 1.3 mm
    Remarks:  
    Contributors: Martin Fourcade

    David Baker
    Links: FishBase o Google o Google Image Search
    El Acuarista

    The Austrolebias alexandri Species Group
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