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Blackline tetra (Acinocheirodon melanogramma) — Characidae

Blackline tetra

Acinocheirodon melanogramma
Family: Characidae

The Blackline tetra (Acinocheirodon melanogramma) is a freshwater fish of the family Characidae that grows up to 4 cm.

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

Description

The Blackline tetra is a characin (Characidae) from clear streams and rivers of the Sao Francisco basin in Brazil in South America. The species grows to about 6 cm and has a slender, silvery body with an adipose fin and often a shiny lengthwise stripe or tail spot. As a social schooling fish it swims in the water column and snaps at small plankton, insect larvae and plant matter. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Blackline tetra?

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

Where does the Blackline tetra live?

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

How big does the Blackline tetra get?

The Blackline tetra grows to a maximum of about 4 cm.

Is the Blackline tetra dangerous to humans?

No, the Blackline tetra is harmless to humans.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Zwartstreep-glaszalm sourced
English name
Blackline tetra sourced
Scientific name
Acinocheirodon melanogramma
Family
Characidae

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
3.8 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
Social behaviour
Schooling sourced
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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