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Banded toothless characin (Steindachnerina fasciata) — Curimatidae

Banded toothless characin

Steindachnerina fasciata
Family: Curimatidae

The Banded toothless characin (Steindachnerina fasciata) is a freshwater fish of the family Curimatidae that grows up to 10 cm.

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

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Description

The banded toothless characin is a small characin (Curimatidae) from fresh water of northern South America. The species grows to about 10 cm and has a silvery, elongate body with a few dark crossbars and a small, toothless, downward-facing mouth. As a bottom-oriented detritivore it lives in schools in rivers and floodplains and filters organic silt, algae and detritus from the bottom. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Banded toothless characin?

The Banded toothless characin has an elongate, eel-like body, is mainly silver-grey and shows a vertical stripes pattern.

Where does the Banded toothless characin live?

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

How big does the Banded toothless characin get?

The Banded toothless characin grows to a maximum of about 10 cm.

Is the Banded toothless characin dangerous to humans?

No, the Banded toothless characin 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 toothless characin (Steindachnerina fasciata) — Curimatidae — 2
Wikimedia Commons — Trustees of the Natural History Museum, London (CC BY 4.0)
Fin

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All data

Identification

English name
Banded toothless characin sourced
Scientific name
Steindachnerina fasciata
Family
Curimatidae

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
9.6 verified
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like) sourced
Dominant colour
Silver / grey sourced
Pattern
Vertical bars sourced
Tail shape
Forked inferred
Mouth position
Inferior (downward) sourced

Habitat & distribution

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

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Herbivore inferred
Diet (detail)
Algae and plant material inferred
Social behaviour
Schooling sourced
Territorial
No 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

Same genus Steindachnerina

More from the family Curimatidae

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