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Cauca tetra (Astyanax caucanus) — Characidae

Cauca tetra

Astyanax caucanus
Family: Characidae

The Cauca tetra (Astyanax caucanus) is a freshwater fish of the family Characidae that grows up to 11 cm.

Length
11 cm
Water
Freshwater
Diet
Omnivore
Behaviour
Schooling
Activity
Diurnal
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped
Substrate
Mixed bottom
Danger
Harmless

Description

The Cauca tetra is a South American characin or tetra (Characidae) from fresh water of the Cauca and Magdalena basins in Colombia. The species grows to about 11 cm and has a slender, silvery body with a dark shoulder mark and often a dark stripe towards the tail base. As a lively schooling fish it swims in streams and rivers and eats insects, crustaceans, algae and plant material. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Cauca tetra?

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

Where does the Cauca tetra live?

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

How big does the Cauca tetra get?

The Cauca tetra grows to a maximum of about 11 cm.

Is the Cauca tetra dangerous to humans?

No, the Cauca tetra is harmless to humans.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Cauca-tetra sourced
English name
Cauca tetra sourced
Scientific name
Astyanax caucanus
Family
Characidae

Appearance

Max length (cm)
11 sourced
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
Silver / grey sourced
Tail shape
Forked inferred

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Freshwater sourced
Substrate
Mixed bottom 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

Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless verified

Status & sources

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

Same genus Astyanax

More from the family Characidae

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