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Panama tetra (Hyphessobrycon panamensis) — Characidae

Panama tetra

Hyphessobrycon panamensis
Family: Characidae

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

Length
4.4 cm
Water
Freshwater
Diet
Omnivore
Behaviour
Schooling
Activity
Diurnal
Body shape
Flat / disc-shaped
Substrate
Mixed bottom
Danger
Harmless

Description

The Panama tetra is a small characin (tetra) from fresh water of Panama and adjacent Central America. The species grows to about 4 cm and has a slender, laterally compressed, silvery body with a shiny lateral stripe and often a dark shoulder spot. It lives in schools in clear streams and creeks and eats small insects, larvae and plant material. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Panama tetra?

The Panama tetra has a flattened, disc-shaped body and is mainly silver-grey.

Where does the Panama tetra live?

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

How big does the Panama tetra get?

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

Is the Panama tetra dangerous to humans?

No, the Panama tetra is harmless to humans.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Panama-tetra sourced
English name
Panama tetra sourced
Scientific name
Hyphessobrycon panamensis
Family
Characidae

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
4.4 verified
Body shape
Flat / disc-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

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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