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Longfin glass tetra (Xenagoniates bondi) — Characidae

Longfin glass tetra

Xenagoniates bondi
Family: Characidae

The Longfin glass tetra (Xenagoniates bondi) is a freshwater fish of the family Characidae that grows up to 6 cm.

Length
6 cm
Water
Freshwater
Diet
Omnivore
Behaviour
Schooling
Activity
Diurnal
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom
Danger
Harmless
Range
South America: Colombia, Venezuela
Edibility
Commonly eaten

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Description

The longfin glass tetra is a small characin (Iguanodectidae) from fresh water of northern South America, in the Orinoco region. The species grows to about 6 cm and has a slender, strongly translucent body with a silvery ventral edge and an elongate anal fin. As an open-water fish it swims in schools in clear rivers and eats small zooplankton, insects and larvae. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Longfin glass tetra?

The Longfin glass tetra has an elongate, eel-like body and is mainly silver-grey.

Where does the Longfin glass tetra live?

The Longfin glass tetra lives in fresh water and is mostly found around sand or mud bottom. South America: Colombia, Venezuela

How big does the Longfin glass tetra get?

The Longfin glass tetra grows to a maximum of about 6 cm.

Is the Longfin glass tetra dangerous to humans?

No, the Longfin glass 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 Longfin glass tetra edible?

Yes, the Longfin glass tetra is commonly eaten.

More photos

Longfin glass tetra (Xenagoniates bondi) — Characidae — 2
Florida Museum of Natural History Ichthyology (CC BY-NC 4.0) via GBIF — UF
Longfin glass tetra (Xenagoniates bondi) — Characidae — 3
Wikimedia Commons — Myers & Sprague (CC0)
Longfin glass tetra (Xenagoniates bondi) — Characidae — 4
iNaturalist ((c) Frank M. Greco, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Longfin glass tetra (Xenagoniates bondi) — Characidae — 5
Wikimedia Commons — Pascual Ortiz (CC0) [illustratie]
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All data

Identification

English name
Longfin glass tetra sourced
Scientific name
Xenagoniates bondi
Family
Characidae
Other names
Long-finned glass tetra sourced

Appearance

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

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Freshwater sourced
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom sourced
Natural range
South America: Colombia, 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

More from the family Characidae

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