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Chilean tetra (Cheirodon pisciculus) — Characidae

Chilean tetra

Cheirodon pisciculus
Family: Characidae

The Chilean tetra (Cheirodon pisciculus) 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

Description

The Chilean tetra is a small characin (Characidae) from fresh water of central Chile in South America. The species grows to about 5 cm and has a slender, silvery body with a glossy lengthwise band. As a schooling fish it swims in rivers and lakes and eats small insects, larvae, algae and detritus. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Chilean tetra?

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

Where does the Chilean tetra live?

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

How big does the Chilean tetra get?

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

Is the Chilean tetra dangerous to humans?

No, the Chilean tetra is harmless to humans.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Chileense tetra sourced
English name
Chilean tetra sourced
Scientific name
Cheirodon pisciculus
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
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
Klein van stuk en nauwelijks een hengelsportdoel; wordt vooral incidenteel of als aasvis gevangen. 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 Cheirodon

More from the family Characidae

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