Home · Characidae · Glass dogtooth tetra
Glass dogtooth tetra (Galeocharax humeralis) — Characidae

Glass dogtooth tetra

Galeocharax humeralis
Family: Characidae

The Glass dogtooth tetra (Galeocharax humeralis) is a freshwater fish of the family Characidae that grows up to 31 cm.

Length
30.6 cm
Water
Freshwater
Diet
Omnivore
Activity
Diurnal
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Mixed bottom
Danger
Harmless
Range
South America: Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay, Uruguay

Want the complete picture on the Glass dogtooth tetra?

Get the app

Description

The glass dogtooth tetra is a slender predatory characin (Characidae) from fresh water of the Parana and La Plata basins in South America. The species grows to about 31 cm and has an elongate, silvery body with a large mouth full of sharp dog-like teeth. As a fast open-water predator it hunts small fish and large invertebrates in rivers. It is a local food fish. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Glass dogtooth tetra?

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

Where does the Glass dogtooth tetra live?

The Glass dogtooth tetra lives in fresh water and is mostly found around mixed bottom. South America: Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay, Uruguay

How big does the Glass dogtooth tetra get?

The Glass dogtooth tetra grows to a maximum of about 31 cm.

Is the Glass dogtooth tetra dangerous to humans?

No, the Glass dogtooth 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.

Fin

Want the complete picture on the Glass dogtooth tetra?

Point your camera at the fish and Fin names the species in seconds. Free, and the Glass dogtooth tetra is one of 12,519 species in the app.

Get the app →

All data

Identification

English name
Glass dogtooth tetra sourced
Scientific name
Galeocharax humeralis
Family
Characidae

Appearance

Size class
Medium verified
Max length (cm)
30.6 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
Natural range
South America: Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay, Uruguay sourced
Origin
Native inferred

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Omnivore inferred
Diet (detail)
Invertebrates, algae and detritus inferred
Territorial
No inferred
Activity
Diurnal inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes inferred
Sexual dimorphism
No inferred
Seasonality
Present year-round in its habitat; no pronounced seasonality known. inferred

For anglers

Fishing method
Bottom fishing with natural bait (worm, shrimp or fish) on or just above the seabed. inferred
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless verified
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

Same genus Galeocharax

More from the family Characidae

Fin

Want the complete picture on the Glass dogtooth tetra?

Point your camera at the fish and Fin names the species in seconds. Free, and the Glass dogtooth tetra is one of 12,519 species in the app.

Get the app →
Is this the Glass dogtooth tetra? Get the app