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Intermediate tetra (Moenkhausia intermedia) — Characidae

Intermediate tetra

Moenkhausia intermedia
Family: Characidae

The Intermediate tetra (Moenkhausia intermedia) is a freshwater fish of the family Characidae that grows up to 8 cm.

Length
8 cm
Water
Freshwater
Diet
Omnivore
Behaviour
Schooling
Activity
Diurnal
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped
Substrate
Mixed bottom
Danger
Harmless
Range
South America: Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, French Guiana, Paraguay, Venezuela
Edibility
Commonly eaten

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Description

The Intermediate tetra is a small characin (Characidae) from fresh water of the Amazon and Parana basins in South America. The species grows to about 8 cm and has a slender to fairly deep, silvery body, often with a spot on the tail base and a glossy lengthwise band. 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.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Intermediate tetra?

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

Where does the Intermediate tetra live?

The Intermediate tetra lives in fresh water and is mostly found around mixed bottom. South America: Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, French Guiana, Paraguay, Venezuela

How big does the Intermediate tetra get?

The Intermediate tetra grows to a maximum of about 8 cm.

Is the Intermediate tetra dangerous to humans?

No, the Intermediate 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 Intermediate tetra edible?

Yes, the Intermediate tetra is commonly eaten.

More photos

Intermediate tetra (Moenkhausia intermedia) — Characidae — 2
iNaturalist ((c) Zakqary Roy, some rights reserved (CC BY))
Intermediate tetra (Moenkhausia intermedia) — Characidae — 3
iNaturalist ((c) Felipe C. Balbino Santos, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Intermediate tetra (Moenkhausia intermedia) — Characidae — 4
Wikimedia Commons — Julien Renoult (CC BY 4.0)
Intermediate tetra (Moenkhausia intermedia) — Characidae — 5
iNaturalist ((c) Felipe C. Balbino Santos, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Fin

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All data

Identification

English name
Intermediate tetra sourced
Scientific name
Moenkhausia intermedia
Family
Characidae

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
8.0 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
Natural range
South America: Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, French Guiana, Paraguay, Venezuela sourced
Origin
Native inferred

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Omnivore inferred
Diet (detail)
Invertebrates, algae and detritus inferred
Social behaviour
Schooling sourced
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

Edibility
Commonly eaten inferred
Fishing method
Small in size and barely an angling target; mostly caught incidentally or as baitfish. 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 Moenkhausia

More from the family Characidae

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