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Pinktail chalceus (Chalceus epakros) — Characidae

Pinktail chalceus

Chalceus epakros
Family: Characidae

The Pinktail chalceus (Chalceus epakros) is a freshwater fish of the family Characidae that grows up to 17 cm.

Length
17.4 cm
Water
Freshwater
Diet
Omnivore
Behaviour
Schooling
Activity
Diurnal
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Mixed bottom
Danger
Harmless

Description

The pinktail chalceus is a characin (Chalceidae) from fresh water of the Amazon and Orinoco basins in South America. The species grows to about 17 cm and has a streamlined, silvery body with conspicuously large scales on the forebody and pointed teeth. As an active, schooling predator it hunts insects and small fish near the surface of rivers. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Pinktail chalceus?

The Pinktail chalceus has an elongate, eel-like body and is mainly silver-grey.

Where does the Pinktail chalceus live?

The Pinktail chalceus lives in fresh water and is mostly found around mixed bottom.

How big does the Pinktail chalceus get?

The Pinktail chalceus grows to a maximum of about 17 cm.

Is the Pinktail chalceus dangerous to humans?

No, the Pinktail chalceus is harmless to humans.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Spitstand-chalceus sourced
English name
Pinktail chalceus sourced
Scientific name
Chalceus epakros
Family
Characidae

Appearance

Size class
Medium verified
Max length (cm)
17.4 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
Origin
Native inferred

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Omnivore inferred
Social behaviour
Schooling sourced
Territorial
No inferred
Activity
Diurnal inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes inferred
Sexual dimorphism
No inferred

For anglers

Fishing method
Bodemvissen met natuurlijk aas (worm, garnaal of vis) op of vlak boven de bodem. inferred
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless verified

Status & sources

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

Same genus Chalceus

More from the family Characidae

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