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Beautiful darter tetra (Elachocharax pulcher) — Crenuchidae

Beautiful darter tetra

Elachocharax pulcher
Family: Crenuchidae

The Beautiful darter tetra (Elachocharax pulcher) is a freshwater fish of the family Crenuchidae that grows up to 2 cm.

Length
2.2 cm
Water
Freshwater
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom
Danger
Harmless
Range
South America: Brazil, Peru, Venezuela

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Description

The beautiful darter tetra is a tiny characin (Crenuchidae) from blackwater streams and flooded forest of the Amazon and Orinoco basin in South America. The species grows to only about 3 cm and has a slender, yellow-brown body with dark crossbars and often rests on its pectoral fins on the bottom, like a darter. As a bottom-dweller it shelters among leaf litter and roots and snaps at microscopic invertebrates. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Beautiful darter tetra?

The Beautiful darter tetra has an elongate, eel-like body, is mainly brown and shows a vertical stripes pattern.

Where does the Beautiful darter tetra live?

The Beautiful darter tetra lives in fresh water and is mostly found around sand or mud bottom. South America: Brazil, Peru, Venezuela

How big does the Beautiful darter tetra get?

The Beautiful darter tetra grows to a maximum of about 2 cm.

Is the Beautiful darter tetra dangerous to humans?

No, the Beautiful darter 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.

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All data

Identification

English name
Beautiful darter tetra sourced
Scientific name
Elachocharax pulcher
Family
Crenuchidae

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
2.2 verified
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like) sourced
Dominant colour
Brown sourced
Pattern
Vertical bars sourced
Tail shape
Rounded inferred

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Freshwater sourced
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom sourced
Natural range
South America: Brazil, Peru, Venezuela sourced
Origin
Native inferred

Behaviour & biology

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

More from the family Crenuchidae

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