Pinktail Characin

Pinktail Characin

Offered for sale is an approximate 4” by 6” hand colored lithograph from Fishes of British Guiana edited by William Jardine and published between 1841 and 1843.  The print comes matted and mounted in acid free archival materials.

The fish Chalceus macrolepidotus is commonly known as the Pinktail Chalceus or Pinktail Characin. This freshwater species is native to South America, inhabiting well-oxygenated rivers like the Orinoco and Negro basins. It's admired for its silvery body and vibrant pink tail, making it a popular choice among aquarium enthusiasts.

The specific artist credited with illustrating Fishes of British Guiana was Edward Angelo Goodall. In 1841, Goodall was appointed by the British government as the official artist for the Guyana (then British Guiana) Boundary Expedition under Sir Robert Schomburgk. During that expedition, he produced a wealth of watercolours and sketches documenting the region’s natural environment, including its vibrant aquatic life. These detailed images later formed a crucial part of the work edited by Sir William Jardine, helping to bring the ichthyological diversity of British Guiana to a wider audience.