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Carlana tetra (Carlana eigenmanni) — Characidae

Carlana tetra

Carlana eigenmanni
Family: Characidae

The Carlana tetra (Carlana eigenmanni) is a freshwater fish of the family Characidae that grows up to 5 cm.

Length
5.4 cm
Water
Freshwater
Diet
Omnivore
Behaviour
Schooling
Activity
Diurnal
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Mixed bottom
Danger
Harmless
Range
North America: Costa Rica, Nicaragua, Panama

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Description

The Carlana tetra is a small characin (Characidae) from fresh water of Costa Rica and Panama in Central America. The species grows to about 5 cm and has a slender, silvery body with a fine dark longitudinal stripe. As a schooling fish it swims in clear streams and rivers and eats small insects, larvae and plant material. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Carlana tetra?

The Carlana tetra has an elongate, eel-like body and is mainly silver-grey.

Where does the Carlana tetra live?

The Carlana tetra lives in fresh water and is mostly found around mixed bottom. North America: Costa Rica, Nicaragua, Panama

How big does the Carlana tetra get?

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

Is the Carlana tetra dangerous to humans?

No, the Carlana 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
Carlana tetra sourced
Scientific name
Carlana eigenmanni
Family
Characidae

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
5.4 verified
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like) sourced
Dominant colour
Silver / grey sourced
Tail shape
Forked inferred

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Freshwater sourced
Substrate
Mixed bottom sourced
Natural range
North America: Costa Rica, Nicaragua, Panama 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

More from the family Characidae

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