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Jabonero tetra (Hemibrycon jabonero) — Characidae

Jabonero tetra

Hemibrycon jabonero
Family: Characidae

The Jabonero tetra (Hemibrycon jabonero) is a freshwater fish of the family Characidae that grows up to 12 cm.

Length
11.5 cm
Water
Freshwater
Diet
Omnivore
Behaviour
Schooling
Activity
Diurnal
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Open water
Danger
Harmless
Range
South America: Venezuela

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Description

The jabonero tetra is a characin (Characidae) from clear, flowing mountain streams of northern South America, in Venezuela and Colombia. The species grows to about 10 cm and has a slender, laterally compressed, silvery body with an adipose fin and a dark tail spot. As a social schooling fish it swims in the middle and upper layer of clear water and snaps at insects, larvae and small invertebrates. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Jabonero tetra?

The Jabonero tetra has an elongate, eel-like body, is mainly silver-grey and shows a spots pattern.

Where does the Jabonero tetra live?

The Jabonero tetra lives in fresh water and is mostly found around open water. South America: Venezuela

How big does the Jabonero tetra get?

The Jabonero tetra grows to a maximum of about 12 cm.

Is the Jabonero tetra dangerous to humans?

No, the Jabonero 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.

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All data

Identification

English name
Jabonero tetra sourced
Scientific name
Hemibrycon jabonero
Family
Characidae

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
11.5 verified
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like) sourced
Dominant colour
Silver / grey sourced
Pattern
Spots sourced
Tail shape
Forked inferred

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Freshwater sourced
Substrate
Open water sourced
Natural range
South America: 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

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 Hemibrycon

More from the family Characidae

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