George S. Myers
American ichthyologist who described the neon tetra and many aquarium species.
George Sprague Myers (February 2, 1905 – November 4, 1985) was an American ichthyologist who spent most of his career at Stanford University. He is notable for first describing numerous popular aquarium species, including the neon tetra, and for his collaborations with William T. Innes on the seminal work 'Exotic Aquarium Fishes.'
- Born
- February 2, 1905
- Died
- November 4, 1985
- Nationality
- American
- Institution
- Stanford University
- Roles
- Editor of Stanford Ichthyological Bulletin; President of the American Society of Ichthyologists and Herpetologists; Head of the Division of Fishes at the United States National Museum; Ichthyologist f
- Notable species described
- Flame tetra (Hyphessobrycon flammeus), black-winged hatchetfish (Carnegiella marthae), ram cichlid (Microgeophagus ramirezi), neon tetra (Paracheirodon innesi)
- Genera erected
- Aphyosemion, Fundulopanchax
Lore & Background
Myers served as the scientific consultant for William T. Innes's book 'Exotic Aquarium Fishes' and, after Innes retired, became the editor for later editions. When Myers described the neon tetra in 1936, he named it Hyphessobrycon innesi in honor of Innes; the species was later moved to the genus Paracheirodon and is now known as Paracheirodon innesi. He also erected the genera Aphyosemion and Fundulopanchax, which include dozens of widely kept killifish species.
Reader's Guide
Myers's significance in fishkeeping stems from his description of many popular aquarium species, most notably the neon tetra, and his role as scientific consultant and later editor of 'Exotic Aquarium Fishes,' a seminal work in the aquarium literature. His collaborations with William T. Innes helped shape the hobby's foundational knowledge. Additionally, his erection of the genera Aphyosemion and Fundulopanchax provided the taxonomic framework for dozens of killifish species widely kept by aquarists. His work as an ichthyologist with the 1938 Allan Hancock Pacific Expedition and the U.S. Navy's 1947 Bikini Scientific Resurvey, as well as his advisory role to the Brazilian Government, further underscore his broad influence. Several taxa have been named in his honor, including the fish species Chionodraco myersi, Hypostomus myersi, and the likely extinct San Marcos gambusia (Gambusia georgei).
Did You Know?
- Myers described the neon tetra in 1936, naming it Hyphessobrycon innesi in honor of William T. Innes.
- The San Marcos gambusia (Gambusia georgei), named in his honor, has not been seen since 1983 and is likely extinct.
- A genus of Philippine snake, Myersophis, was named in his honor by Edward Harrison Taylor in 1963.
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