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Blackfin tetra (Markiana nigripinnis) — Characidae

Blackfin tetra

Markiana nigripinnis
Family: Characidae

The Blackfin tetra (Markiana nigripinnis) 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

Description

The blackfin tetra is a characin (Characidae) from fresh water of the Paraguay and Pantanal region in South America. The species grows to about 10 cm and has a deep, silvery, laterally compressed body with dark fin margins and a spot on the shoulder. As a schooling fish it swims in rivers and floodplains and eats small insects, larvae and plant material. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Blackfin tetra?

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

Where does the Blackfin tetra live?

The Blackfin tetra lives in fresh water and is mostly found around mixed bottom.

How big does the Blackfin tetra get?

The Blackfin tetra grows to a maximum of about 10 cm.

Is the Blackfin tetra dangerous to humans?

No, the Blackfin tetra is harmless to humans.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Zwartvin-tetra sourced
English name
Blackfin tetra sourced
Scientific name
Markiana nigripinnis
Family
Characidae
Other names
Tetra sourced

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
Origin
Native inferred

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Omnivore inferred
Social behaviour
Schooling sourced
Territorial
No inferred
Activity
Diurnal inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes inferred
Sexual dimorphism
No inferred

For anglers

Fishing method
Klein van stuk en nauwelijks een hengelsportdoel; wordt vooral incidenteel of als aasvis gevangen. inferred
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless verified

Status & sources

Sources
FishBase via GBIF (DwC-A), CC-BY-NC 4.0

Same genus Markiana

More from the family Characidae

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