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Potaro tetra (Deuterodon potaroensis) — Characidae

Potaro tetra

Deuterodon potaroensis
Family: Characidae

The Potaro tetra (Deuterodon potaroensis) is a freshwater fish of the family Characidae that grows up to 6 cm.

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

Description

The Potaro tetra is a small characin (Characidae) from clear streams of the Potaro drainage in the Guiana Shield in South America. The species grows to about 6 cm and has a slender, silvery body with a shiny lateral stripe and a yellowish tinge on the fins. It lives in schools in flowing water and eats small insects, larvae, algae and plant material. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Potaro tetra?

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

Where does the Potaro tetra live?

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

How big does the Potaro tetra get?

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

Is the Potaro tetra dangerous to humans?

No, the Potaro tetra is harmless to humans.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Potaro-tetra sourced
English name
Potaro tetra sourced
Scientific name
Deuterodon potaroensis
Family
Characidae

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
6.0 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 Deuterodon

More from the family Characidae

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