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Darter characine (Apareiodon affinis) — Parodontidae

Darter characine

Apareiodon affinis
Family: Parodontidae
LC · Least Concern

The Darter characine (Apareiodon affinis) is a freshwater fish of the family Parodontidae that grows up to 18 cm.

Length
18.1 cm
Water
Freshwater
Diet
Herbivore
Behaviour
Small groups
Activity
Diurnal
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped
Substrate
Mixed bottom
Danger
Harmless
Edibility
Rarely eaten

Description

The darter characin is a small characin from fresh water of southern South America, including the Parana and La Plata basins. The species grows to about 18 cm and has a slender, streamlined body with an inferior mouth with which it scrapes aufwuchs and algae from stones. As a bottom-dweller it lives in clear, flowing water of rivers and streams and often props itself on its pectoral fins on the bottom. The fish is harmless to humans and has limited commercial value. The IUCN assesses the species as Least Concern (LC).

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Darter characine?

The Darter characine has a torpedo-shaped body, is mainly silver-grey and shows a plain pattern.

Where does the Darter characine live?

The Darter characine lives in fresh water and is mostly found around mixed bottom.

How big does the Darter characine get?

The Darter characine grows to a maximum of about 18 cm.

Is the Darter characine dangerous to humans?

No, the Darter characine is harmless to humans.

Is the Darter characine edible?

The Darter characine is rarely eaten.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Darter-karakijn verified
English name
Darter characine verified
Scientific name
Apareiodon affinis
Family
Parodontidae

Appearance

Size class
Medium verified
Max length (cm)
18.1 verified
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
Silver / grey sourced
Pattern
Plain sourced
Tail shape
Forked inferred
Mouth position
Inferior (downward) sourced
Lips
Thin sourced
Barbels
No sourced
Dorsal fins
Two separate sourced
Dorsal spines
No sourced

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Freshwater sourced
Substrate
Mixed bottom sourced
Origin
Native verified

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Herbivore sourced
Social behaviour
Small groups sourced
Territorial
No sourced
Activity
Diurnal sourced
Reproduction
Separate sexes sourced
Sexual dimorphism
No sourced

For anglers

Edibility
Rarely eaten sourced
Fishing method
Bodemvissen met natuurlijk aas (worm, garnaal of vis) op of vlak boven de bodem. inferred
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless sourced

Status & sources

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

Same genus Apareiodon

More from the family Parodontidae

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