Pristella maxillaris is the only species in the genus Pristella and is commonly known as the golden pristella tetra or X-ray tetra because of its highly transparent body. It is a widely distributed and adaptable fish, being found in coastal rivers of Brazil, French Guiana, Guyana, and Venezuela in both acidic and alkaline waters. Unlike most other characins, it is tolerant of (and sometimes found in) slightly brackish water. It is small (around 5 cm) and lives in large groups, and males can be distinguished from females by being smaller and thinner than the females. Like most other tetras, it feeds primarily on small insects and planktonic animals Hayvan Bilim, Zooloji
