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Dragonfin tetra (Pseudocorynopoma doriae) — Characidae

Dragonfin tetra

Pseudocorynopoma doriae
Family: Characidae
LC · Least Concern

The Dragonfin tetra (Pseudocorynopoma doriae) is a freshwater fish of the family Characidae that grows up to 6 cm.

Length
6.3 cm
Water
Freshwater
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Schooling
Activity
Diurnal
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped
Substrate
Mixed bottom
Danger
Harmless
Range
La Plata river basin
Edibility
Not eaten

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Description

The dragonfin tetra is a characin from the La Plata basin in South America, in Brazil, Uruguay and Argentina. The species grows to about 6 cm and has a silvery body; males have conspicuously elongated, thread-like dorsal and anal fin rays that they display in courtship. It forms schools in calm, plant-rich waters and eats insects and small invertebrates. 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 Dragonfin tetra?

The Dragonfin tetra has a torpedo-shaped body, is mainly silver-grey and shows a plain pattern. Males with elongated filamentous fin rays for courtship

Where does the Dragonfin tetra live?

The Dragonfin tetra lives in fresh water and is mostly found around mixed bottom. La Plata river basin

How big does the Dragonfin tetra get?

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

Is the Dragonfin tetra dangerous to humans?

No, the Dragonfin 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.

Is the Dragonfin tetra edible?

The Dragonfin tetra is not usually eaten.

More photos

Dragonfin tetra (Pseudocorynopoma doriae) — Characidae — 2
iNaturalist ((c) inzaenity, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Dragonfin tetra (Pseudocorynopoma doriae) — Characidae — 3
iNaturalist ((c) inzaenity, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Dragonfin tetra (Pseudocorynopoma doriae) — Characidae — 4
Santiago Mailhos (CC BY-NC 4.0) via GBIF — iNaturalist
Dragonfin tetra (Pseudocorynopoma doriae) — Characidae — 5
Wikimedia Commons — W.S.Serra (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Fin

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All data

Identification

English name
Dragonfin tetra verified
Scientific name
Pseudocorynopoma doriae
Family
Characidae
Other names
Dragonfin tetra; Dragon-fin tetra; Dragon-finned characin; Tetra verified

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
6.3 verified
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
Silver / grey inferred
Pattern
Plain 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
Natural range
La Plata river basin verified
Origin
Native verified

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore sourced
Diet (detail)
Insects and small invertebrates inferred
Social behaviour
Schooling sourced
Territorial
No sourced
Activity
Diurnal sourced
Reproduction
Separate sexes sourced
Sexual dimorphism
Yes sourced
Seasonality
Schooling courtship-display tetra; present year-round. sourced
Special features
Males with elongated filamentous fin rays for courtship sourced

For anglers

Edibility
Not eaten sourced
Fishing method
Not a target species for angling; at most an incidental catch or usable as baitfish. inferred
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless sourced
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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