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Lesser tetra (Hyphessobrycon minor) — Characidae

Lesser tetra

Hyphessobrycon minor
Family: Characidae
LC · Least Concern

The Lesser tetra (Hyphessobrycon minor) is a freshwater fish of the family Characidae that grows up to 3 cm.

Length
3.1 cm
Water
Freshwater
Diet
Omnivore
Behaviour
Large groups
Activity
Diurnal
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Mixed bottom
Danger
Harmless
Edibility
Not eaten

Description

The lesser tetra is a small characin (Characidae) from northern South America. The species is small and has a translucent, reddish to silvery body with a metallic sheen. It lives in schools in calm, often soft and acidic waters of streams and pools in the rainforest. As an omnivore it feeds on small zooplankton, insect larvae and plant matter. It is only rarely found in the aquarium trade. The species is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Lesser tetra?

The Lesser tetra has an elongate, eel-like body, is mainly red-orange and shows a plain pattern.

Where does the Lesser tetra live?

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

How big does the Lesser tetra get?

The Lesser tetra grows to a maximum of about 3 cm.

Is the Lesser tetra dangerous to humans?

No, the Lesser tetra is harmless to humans.

Is the Lesser tetra edible?

The Lesser tetra is not usually eaten.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Kleine tetra sourced
English name
Lesser tetra sourced
Scientific name
Hyphessobrycon minor
Family
Characidae

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
3.1 verified
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like) sourced
Dominant colour
Red / orange inferred
Pattern
Plain inferred
Tail shape
Forked inferred
Mouth position
Terminal inferred
Lips
Thin inferred
Barbels
No sourced
Dorsal fins
Two separate inferred
Dorsal spines
No sourced

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Freshwater sourced
Substrate
Mixed bottom sourced
Origin
Native sourced

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Omnivore sourced
Social behaviour
Large groups inferred
Territorial
No inferred
Activity
Diurnal inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes sourced
Sexual dimorphism
No inferred

For anglers

Edibility
Not eaten sourced
Fishing method
Geen doelsoort voor de hengelsport; hooguit incidentele vangst of bruikbaar als aasvisje. inferred
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless sourced

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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