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Flame tail tetra (Aphyocharax erythrurus) — Characidae

Flame tail tetra

Aphyocharax erythrurus
Family: Characidae
LC · Least Concern

The Flame tail tetra (Aphyocharax erythrurus) is a freshwater fish of the family Characidae that grows up to 6 cm.

Length
5.8 cm
Water
Freshwater
Diet
Omnivore
Behaviour
Large groups
Activity
Diurnal
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Mixed bottom
Danger
Harmless
Edibility
Not eaten

Description

The redtail tetra is a characin (Characidae) from northern South America. The species is a small, lively fish with a slender, silvery body and conspicuously red-coloured fins, especially the tail, to which the name refers. It lives in schools in rivers and streams, where in the open water column and at the surface it hunts insects, small zooplankton and other drifting food. It is popular in the aquarium hobby. The species is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Flame tail tetra?

The Flame tail tetra has an elongate, eel-like body, is mainly silver-grey and shows a plain pattern.

Where does the Flame tail tetra live?

The Flame tail tetra lives in fresh water and is mostly found around mixed bottom.

How big does the Flame tail tetra get?

The Flame tail tetra grows to a maximum of about 6 cm.

Is the Flame tail tetra dangerous to humans?

No, the Flame tail tetra is harmless to humans.

Is the Flame tail tetra edible?

The Flame tail tetra is not usually eaten.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Roodstaart-tetra sourced
English name
Flame tail tetra verified
Scientific name
Aphyocharax erythrurus
Family
Characidae
Other names
Flametail tetra verified

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
5.8 verified
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like) sourced
Dominant colour
Silver / grey inferred
Pattern
Plain inferred
Tail shape
Forked inferred
Mouth position
Terminal inferred
Lips
Thin inferred
Barbels
No sourced
Dorsal fins
Two separate inferred
Dorsal spines
No sourced

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Freshwater sourced
Substrate
Mixed bottom sourced
Origin
Native sourced

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Omnivore sourced
Social behaviour
Large groups inferred
Territorial
No inferred
Activity
Diurnal inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes sourced
Sexual dimorphism
No inferred

For anglers

Edibility
Not eaten sourced
Fishing method
Geen doelsoort voor de hengelsport; hooguit incidentele vangst of bruikbaar als aasvisje. 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 Aphyocharax

More from the family Characidae

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