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Loreto tetra (Hyphessobrycon loretoensis) — Characidae

Loreto tetra

Hyphessobrycon loretoensis
Family: Characidae

The Loreto tetra (Hyphessobrycon loretoensis) is a freshwater fish of the family Characidae that grows up to 2 cm.

Length
2.4 cm
Water
Freshwater
Diet
Omnivore
Behaviour
Schooling
Activity
Diurnal
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped
Substrate
Mixed bottom
Danger
Harmless
Range
South America: Peru
Edibility
Commonly eaten

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Description

The Loreto tetra is a small characin (Characidae) from fresh water of the western Amazon basin in Peru. The species grows to about 2 cm and has a slender, partly translucent body. A dark longitudinal stripe with a gold line above runs over the flank. 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 and is popular in the aquarium trade.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Loreto tetra?

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

Where does the Loreto tetra live?

The Loreto tetra lives in fresh water and is mostly found around mixed bottom. South America: Peru

How big does the Loreto tetra get?

The Loreto tetra grows to a maximum of about 2 cm.

Is the Loreto tetra dangerous to humans?

No, the Loreto 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 Loreto tetra edible?

Yes, the Loreto tetra is commonly eaten.

More photos

Loreto tetra (Hyphessobrycon loretoensis) — Characidae — 2
iNaturalist ((c) Phil Kahler, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Loreto tetra (Hyphessobrycon loretoensis) — Characidae — 3
Wikimedia Commons — A. Zarske, D. Bork, H.J. Franke, illust. Jurgen Scholz (CC BY 4.0)
Loreto tetra (Hyphessobrycon loretoensis) — Characidae — 4
Wikimedia Commons — A. Zarske, D. Bork, H.J. Franke, illust. Jurgen Scholz (CC BY 4.0) [illustratie]
Fin

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All data

Identification

English name
Loreto tetra sourced
Scientific name
Hyphessobrycon loretoensis
Family
Characidae

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
2.4 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: Peru 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 Hyphessobrycon

More from the family Characidae

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