A small freshwater aquarium fish with bright red fins, native to South America and popular in the pet trade.
Compound of 'blood' (Old English blōd) + 'fin' (Old English finn); descriptive name referring to the fish's vivid crimson fin coloring.
The bloodfin tetra became popular in home aquariums during the 1920s-30s aquarium boom in Europe, and its scientific name (Hyphessobrycon callistus) was changed multiple times as scientists realized they were studying the same fish from different descriptions—showing how common names often came before scientific order.
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