Home · Hemiodontidae · Barred hemiodus
Barred hemiodus (Hemiodus quadrimaculatus) — Hemiodontidae

Barred hemiodus

Hemiodus quadrimaculatus
Family: Hemiodontidae
LC · Least Concern

The Barred hemiodus (Hemiodus quadrimaculatus) is a freshwater fish of the family Hemiodontidae that grows up to 13 cm.

Length
13.1 cm
Water
Freshwater
Diet
Omnivore
Behaviour
Large groups
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped
Substrate
Mixed bottom
Danger
Harmless
Range
Northern South America; sandy bottoms and rapids of rivers.
Edibility
Commonly eaten

Want the complete picture on the Barred hemiodus?

Get the app

Description

The foureyed hemiodus is a characin of the family Hemiodontidae from northern South America. The species has a slender, streamlined, silvery body with dark spots on the flank and an adipose fin. It is a long-lived, schooling fish that occurs over sandy bottoms and is frequently found in rapids, suggesting a need for space and current. As an omnivore it forages on algae, detritus, small zooplankton and insect larvae. The species is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Barred hemiodus?

The Barred hemiodus has a torpedo-shaped body, is mainly silver-grey and shows a spots pattern. Long-lived schooling fish of sandy bottoms and rapids; dark flank blotches.

Where does the Barred hemiodus live?

The Barred hemiodus lives in fresh water and is mostly found around mixed bottom. Northern South America; sandy bottoms and rapids of rivers.

How big does the Barred hemiodus get?

The Barred hemiodus grows to a maximum of about 13 cm.

Is the Barred hemiodus dangerous to humans?

No, the Barred hemiodus is harmless to humans. None required: this species is harmless to humans.

Is the Barred hemiodus edible?

Yes, the Barred hemiodus is commonly eaten.

Fin

Want the complete picture on the Barred hemiodus?

Point your camera at the fish and Fin names the species in seconds. Free, and the Barred hemiodus is one of 12,519 species in the app.

Get the app →

All data

Identification

English name
Barred hemiodus verified
Scientific name
Hemiodus quadrimaculatus
Family
Hemiodontidae

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
13.1 verified
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
Silver / grey inferred
Pattern
Spots inferred
Tail shape
Forked inferred
Mouth position
Inferior (downward) 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
Natural range
Northern South America; sandy bottoms and rapids of rivers. inferred
Origin
Native sourced

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Omnivore sourced
Diet (detail)
Algae, detritus, small zooplankton and insect larvae sourced
Social behaviour
Large groups inferred
Territorial
No inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes sourced
Sexual dimorphism
No inferred
Seasonality
Present year-round in its habitat; no pronounced seasonality known. inferred
Special features
Long-lived schooling fish of sandy bottoms and rapids; dark flank blotches. sourced

For anglers

Edibility
Commonly eaten sourced
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 sourced
First aid
None required: this species is harmless to humans. sourced

Status & sources

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

Same genus Hemiodus

More from the family Hemiodontidae

Fin

Want the complete picture on the Barred hemiodus?

Point your camera at the fish and Fin names the species in seconds. Free, and the Barred hemiodus is one of 12,519 species in the app.

Get the app →
Is this the Barred hemiodus? Get the app