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Uruguay tetra (Cheirodon interruptus) — Characidae

Uruguay tetra

Cheirodon interruptus
Family: Characidae
LC · Least Concern

The Uruguay tetra (Cheirodon interruptus) is a freshwater fish of the family Characidae that grows up to 6 cm.

Length
5.8 cm
Water
Freshwater
Diet
Omnivore
Behaviour
Schooling
Activity
Diurnal
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped
Substrate
Mixed bottom
Danger
Harmless
Edibility
Not eaten

Description

The Uruguay tetra is a small tetra from the La Plata basin in South America, in Argentina, Uruguay and southern Brazil. The species grows to about 6 cm and has a slender, silvery body with a shiny lateral band, characteristic of the tetras. It forms schools in calm rivers, streams and pools and feeds as an omnivore on small zooplankton, insects and plant matter. The fish is harmless to humans, occurs in the aquarium trade and is assessed as Least Concern (LC) by the IUCN.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Uruguay tetra?

The Uruguay tetra has a torpedo-shaped body, is mainly silver-grey and shows a horizontal stripes pattern.

Where does the Uruguay tetra live?

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

How big does the Uruguay tetra get?

The Uruguay tetra grows to a maximum of about 6 cm.

Is the Uruguay tetra dangerous to humans?

No, the Uruguay tetra is harmless to humans.

Is the Uruguay tetra edible?

The Uruguay tetra is not usually eaten.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Uruguay-tetra verified
English name
Uruguay tetra verified
Scientific name
Cheirodon interruptus
Family
Characidae
Other names
Uruguay tetra verified

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
5.8 verified
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
Silver / grey sourced
Pattern
Horizontal stripes sourced
Tail shape
Forked inferred
Mouth position
Terminal sourced
Lips
Thin sourced
Barbels
No sourced
Dorsal fins
One continuous sourced
Dorsal spines
No sourced

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Freshwater sourced
Substrate
Mixed bottom sourced
Origin
Native verified

Behaviour & biology

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

For anglers

Edibility
Not eaten sourced
Fishing method
Geen doelsoort voor de hengelsport; hooguit incidentele vangst of bruikbaar als aasvisje. inferred
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless sourced

Status & sources

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

Same genus Cheirodon

More from the family Characidae

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