The tailspot tetra is a freshwater fish that lives in the coastal river regions of upper South America. Both its common and scientific names reference the distinct spot of color present on the tail fin, which is one of its defining characteristics. It is a small fish, reaching 4.8 in at its longest. Despite its small size, it is an active swimmer, with a preference for fast-flowing waters.
Tailspot tetra
A 1912 illustration of several South American freshwater fishes, with B. caudomaculatus at the bottom.
Bryconops is a genus of freshwater fish in the family Iguanodectidae from South America. It consists of small fish, all under half-a-foot long, with slender bodies and silvery scales, though there is some mild color variation. Several species can be identified by way of a humeral patch, and others have a reddish ocellus, or eyespot, on one or both lobes of the dorsal fin.
Bryconops
The three lower fishes in this image are species of Bryconops, though considered species of Creatochanes at the time (1912). From the middle downwards, they are Bryconops affinis, Bryconops melanurus, and Bryconops caudomaculatus.
Captured specimen of Bryconops alburnoides