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Flag tetra (Hyphessobrycon heterorhabdus) — Characidae

Flag tetra

Hyphessobrycon heterorhabdus
Family: Characidae

The Flag tetra (Hyphessobrycon heterorhabdus) is a freshwater fish of the family Characidae that grows up to 4 cm.

Length
3.6 cm
Water
Freshwater
Diet
Omnivore
Behaviour
Schooling
Activity
Diurnal
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped
Substrate
Mixed bottom
Danger
Harmless
Edibility
Commonly eaten

Description

The Flag tetra is a small characin (Characidae) from fresh water of the Amazon basin in South America. The species grows to about 4 cm and has a slender, partly translucent body. Three parallel stripes in red, gold and black run over the flank, like a flag. As a schooling fish it swims in clear streams and rivers and eats small insects, larvae and plant material. The fish is harmless to humans and is popular in the aquarium trade.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Flag tetra?

The Flag tetra has a torpedo-shaped body and is mainly silver-grey.

Where does the Flag tetra live?

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

How big does the Flag tetra get?

The Flag tetra grows to a maximum of about 4 cm.

Is the Flag tetra dangerous to humans?

No, the Flag tetra is harmless to humans.

Is the Flag tetra edible?

Yes, the Flag tetra is commonly eaten.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Vlagtetra sourced
English name
Flag tetra sourced
Scientific name
Hyphessobrycon heterorhabdus
Family
Characidae
Other names
False ulreyi; Flag characin; Flag tetra verified

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
3.6 verified
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped 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

Edibility
Commonly eaten inferred
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 Hyphessobrycon

More from the family Characidae

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