Home · Characidae · Lesser rhoadsia
Lesser rhoadsia (Rhoadsia minor) — Characidae

Lesser rhoadsia

Rhoadsia minor
Family: Characidae

The Lesser rhoadsia (Rhoadsia minor) is a freshwater fish of the family Characidae that grows up to 10 cm.

Length
10.4 cm
Water
Freshwater
Diet
Omnivore
Behaviour
Schooling
Activity
Diurnal
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Mixed bottom
Danger
Harmless
Range
South America: Ecuador

Want the complete picture on the Lesser rhoadsia?

Get the app

Description

The lesser rhoadsia is a characin (Characidae) from fresh water of western Ecuador in South America. The species grows to about 10 cm and has a deep, laterally compressed, silvery body; adult males develop a strikingly high back. It lives in schools in clear coastal rivers and eats small insects, larvae and plant material. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Lesser rhoadsia?

The Lesser rhoadsia has an elongate, eel-like body and is mainly silver-grey.

Where does the Lesser rhoadsia live?

The Lesser rhoadsia lives in fresh water and is mostly found around mixed bottom. South America: Ecuador

How big does the Lesser rhoadsia get?

The Lesser rhoadsia grows to a maximum of about 10 cm.

Is the Lesser rhoadsia dangerous to humans?

No, the Lesser rhoadsia 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.

Fin

Want the complete picture on the Lesser rhoadsia?

Point your camera at the fish and Fin names the species in seconds. Free, and the Lesser rhoadsia is one of 12,519 species in the app.

Get the app →

All data

Identification

English name
Lesser rhoadsia sourced
Scientific name
Rhoadsia minor
Family
Characidae

Appearance

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

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Freshwater sourced
Substrate
Mixed bottom sourced
Natural range
South America: Ecuador 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
Yes sourced
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

More from the family Characidae

Fin

Want the complete picture on the Lesser rhoadsia?

Point your camera at the fish and Fin names the species in seconds. Free, and the Lesser rhoadsia is one of 12,519 species in the app.

Get the app →
Is this the Lesser rhoadsia? Get the app