The blind cave fish Astyanax jordani is a fish adapted to the life in absolute darkness. Characteristic for animals living in the dark is the missing of eyes, as well as missing pigmentation of the skin. It is assumed that Astyanax jordani developed from the seeing species Astyanax mexicanus. This could have happened by a wash in (e.g. with a flood) of A. mexicanus in caves and their continuance there over numerous generations. The maintenance of blind A. jordani is completely the same as for their seeing relatives. They compensate their blindness over the lateral line system, as well as over smell and taste senses. So they are well oriented in their aquarium and very successful in their search for food. As soon as the food arrives in the aquarium A. mexicanus gets very alive and will cheat out some seeing fish at the search for food. Thus they can be maintained without any problem in the community tank. (Photo F. Schäfer, Text K. Diehl)
| Angaben zum Tier | |
|---|---|
| Herkunft | Mexiko |
