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Blacktail brycon (Brycon atrocaudatus) — Bryconidae

Blacktail brycon

Brycon atrocaudatus
Family: Bryconidae

The Blacktail brycon (Brycon atrocaudatus) is a freshwater fish of the family Bryconidae that grows up to 27 cm.

Length
27.3 cm
Water
Freshwater
Behaviour
Schooling
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped
Substrate
Open water
Danger
Harmless
Range
South America: Ecuador, Peru
Edibility
Commonly eaten

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Description

The Blacktail brycon is a South American characin (Bryconidae) from fresh water of rivers of western Ecuador and Peru. The species grows to about 25 cm and has a streamlined, silvery body with large scales and a terminal mouth with sharp teeth. As a fast, schooling fish it swims in flowing rivers and eats insects, fruit, seeds and smaller fish. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Blacktail brycon?

The Blacktail brycon has a torpedo-shaped body and is mainly silver-grey.

Where does the Blacktail brycon live?

The Blacktail brycon lives in fresh water and is mostly found around open water. South America: Ecuador, Peru

How big does the Blacktail brycon get?

The Blacktail brycon grows to a maximum of about 27 cm.

Is the Blacktail brycon dangerous to humans?

No, the Blacktail brycon 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.

Is the Blacktail brycon edible?

Yes, the Blacktail brycon is commonly eaten.

More photos

Blacktail brycon (Brycon atrocaudatus) — Bryconidae — 2
iNaturalist ((c) Andrés Aguilar Leon, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Blacktail brycon (Brycon atrocaudatus) — Bryconidae — 3
iNaturalist ((c) Jairo Godoy Paredes, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Blacktail brycon (Brycon atrocaudatus) — Bryconidae — 4
iNaturalist ((c) Daniel, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Blacktail brycon (Brycon atrocaudatus) — Bryconidae — 5
iNaturalist ((c) Raúl Ebbinghaus, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
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All data

Identification

English name
Blacktail brycon sourced
Scientific name
Brycon atrocaudatus
Family
Bryconidae

Appearance

Size class
Medium verified
Max length (cm)
27.3 verified
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
Silver / grey sourced
Tail shape
Forked inferred

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Freshwater sourced
Substrate
Open water sourced
Natural range
South America: Ecuador, Peru sourced
Origin
Native inferred

Behaviour & biology

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

Edibility
Commonly eaten inferred
Fishing method
Can be caught with natural bait or lures, matched to the size and habitat of the species. 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 Brycon

More from the family Bryconidae

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