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Smallscale pike characin (Acanthocharax microlepis) — Characidae

Smallscale pike characin

Acanthocharax microlepis
Family: Characidae

The Smallscale pike characin (Acanthocharax microlepis) is a freshwater fish of the family Characidae that grows up to 9 cm.

Length
8.5 cm
Water
Freshwater
Diet
Omnivore
Activity
Diurnal
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Open water
Danger
Harmless

Description

The smallscale pike characin is a South American characin (Acestrorhynchidae) from fresh water of the Amazon and Orinoco basins. The species has an elongate, silvery, pike-like body with fine scales and a large mouth full of sharp teeth. As a fast, lurking predator in the water column it hunts smaller fish. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Smallscale pike characin?

The Smallscale pike characin has an elongate, eel-like body and is mainly silver-grey.

Where does the Smallscale pike characin live?

The Smallscale pike characin lives in fresh water and is mostly found around open water.

How big does the Smallscale pike characin get?

The Smallscale pike characin grows to a maximum of about 9 cm.

Is the Smallscale pike characin dangerous to humans?

No, the Smallscale pike characin is harmless to humans.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Kleinschub-snoekzalm sourced
English name
Smallscale pike characin sourced
Scientific name
Acanthocharax microlepis
Family
Characidae

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
8.5 verified
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like) sourced
Dominant colour
Silver / grey sourced
Tail shape
Forked inferred

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Freshwater sourced
Substrate
Open water sourced
Origin
Native inferred

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Omnivore inferred
Territorial
No inferred
Activity
Diurnal inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes inferred
Sexual dimorphism
No inferred

For anglers

Fishing method
Klein van stuk en nauwelijks een hengelsportdoel; wordt vooral incidenteel of als aasvis gevangen. inferred
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless verified

Status & sources

Sources
FishBase via GBIF (DwC-A), CC-BY-NC 4.0

More from the family Characidae

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