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Biota tetra (Astyanax biotae) — Characidae

Biota tetra

Astyanax biotae
Family: Characidae

The Biota tetra (Astyanax biotae) is a freshwater fish of the family Characidae that grows up to 5 cm.

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

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Description

The Biota tetra is a small characin (Characidae) from fresh water of the upper Parana basin in Brazil. The species grows to about 5 cm and has a slender, silvery body, often with a dark longitudinal stripe or a spot on the tail base. As a schooling fish it swims in streams and rivers and eats small insects, larvae, plant material and detritus. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Biota tetra?

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

Where does the Biota tetra live?

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

How big does the Biota tetra get?

The Biota tetra grows to a maximum of about 5 cm.

Is the Biota tetra dangerous to humans?

No, the Biota 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

Biota tetra (Astyanax biotae) — Characidae — 2
Wikimedia Commons — Maria José Alencar Vilela, Francisco Severo-Neto, and Fernando Rogério Carvalho (CC BY 4.0)
Biota tetra (Astyanax biotae) — Characidae — 3
Wikimedia Commons — Maria José Alencar Vilela, Francisco Severo-Neto, and Fernando Rogério Carvalho (CC BY 4.0)
Biota tetra (Astyanax biotae) — Characidae — 4
Wikimedia Commons — Oliveira CAM, de Oliveira AG, and Pavanelli CS (CC BY 4.0)
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All data

Identification

English name
Biota tetra sourced
Scientific name
Astyanax biotae
Family
Characidae

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
5.2 verified
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
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

Same genus Astyanax

More from the family Characidae

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