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Sardine tetra (Acestrocephalus sardina) — Characidae

Sardine tetra

Acestrocephalus sardina
Family: Characidae

The Sardine tetra (Acestrocephalus sardina) is a freshwater fish of the family Characidae that grows up to 16 cm.

Length
15.6 cm
Water
Freshwater
Diet
Omnivore
Activity
Diurnal
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped
Substrate
Open water
Danger
Harmless

Description

The sardine tetra is a characin (Characidae) from the Amazon basin in South America. The species grows to about 12 cm and has a slender, elongate, silvery body with a pointed head and distinct dog-like teeth. As a fast, darting predator of open water it shoots at small fish and sometimes scrapes scales from larger fish. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Sardine tetra?

The Sardine tetra has a torpedo-shaped body and is mainly silver-grey.

Where does the Sardine tetra live?

The Sardine tetra lives in fresh water and is mostly found around open water.

How big does the Sardine tetra get?

The Sardine tetra grows to a maximum of about 16 cm.

Is the Sardine tetra dangerous to humans?

No, the Sardine tetra is harmless to humans.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Sardine-roofzalm sourced
English name
Sardine tetra sourced
Scientific name
Acestrocephalus sardina
Family
Characidae

Appearance

Size class
Medium verified
Max length (cm)
15.6 verified
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped 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
Te vangen met natuurlijk aas of kunstaas, afgestemd op de grootte en het leefgebied van de soort. 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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