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Banded tetra (Hollandichthys multifasciatus) — Characidae

Banded tetra

Hollandichthys multifasciatus
Family: Characidae

The Banded tetra (Hollandichthys multifasciatus) is a freshwater fish of the family Characidae that grows up to 10 cm.

Length
9.6 cm
Water
Freshwater
Diet
Omnivore
Behaviour
Schooling
Activity
Diurnal
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Mixed bottom
Danger
Harmless
Range
South America: Brazil

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Description

The banded tetra is a characin (Characidae) from clear coastal streams of the Atlantic Forest in southeastern Brazil. The species grows to about 10 cm and has a slender, yellow-brown body with rows of fine dark spots forming stripes and a shiny shoulder mark. It lives in schools in forested streams and eats small insects, larvae and plant material. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Banded tetra?

The Banded tetra has an elongate, eel-like body, is mainly yellow-gold and shows a horizontal stripes pattern.

Where does the Banded tetra live?

The Banded tetra lives in fresh water and is mostly found around mixed bottom. South America: Brazil

How big does the Banded tetra get?

The Banded tetra grows to a maximum of about 10 cm.

Is the Banded tetra dangerous to humans?

No, the Banded tetra is harmless to humans. This species is harmless to humans. No specific first aid is needed. Still handle the fish with care: mind the fin rays and the sharp edges of the gill cover, and rinse any scratch with clean water and cover it. For a dirty or deep wound check tetanus status.

More photos

Banded tetra (Hollandichthys multifasciatus) — Characidae — 2
iNaturalist ((c) Igor Pfeifer Coelho, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Banded tetra (Hollandichthys multifasciatus) — Characidae — 3
iNaturalist ((c) Henry Miller Alexandre, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Banded tetra (Hollandichthys multifasciatus) — Characidae — 4
iNaturalist ((c) Celso Henrique Varela Rios, some rights reserved (CC BY))
Banded tetra (Hollandichthys multifasciatus) — Characidae — 5
iNaturalist ((c) Henry Miller Alexandre, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
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All data

Identification

English name
Banded tetra sourced
Scientific name
Hollandichthys multifasciatus
Family
Characidae
Other names
Tetra sourced

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
9.6 verified
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like) sourced
Dominant colour
Yellow / gold sourced
Pattern
Horizontal stripes sourced
Tail shape
Forked inferred

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Freshwater sourced
Substrate
Mixed bottom sourced
Natural range
South America: Brazil sourced
Origin
Native inferred

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Omnivore inferred
Diet (detail)
Invertebrates, algae and detritus inferred
Social behaviour
Schooling sourced
Territorial
No inferred
Activity
Diurnal inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes inferred
Sexual dimorphism
No inferred
Seasonality
Present year-round in its habitat; no pronounced seasonality known. inferred

For anglers

Fishing method
Small in size and barely an angling target; mostly caught incidentally or as baitfish. inferred
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless verified
First aid
This species is harmless to humans. No specific first aid is needed. Still handle the fish with care: mind the fin rays and the sharp edges of the gill cover, and rinse any scratch with clean water and cover it. For a dirty or deep wound check tetanus status. verified

Status & sources

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

More from the family Characidae

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