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Merida tetra (Knodus meridae) — Characidae

Merida tetra

Knodus meridae
Family: Characidae

The Merida tetra (Knodus meridae) is a freshwater fish of the family Characidae that grows up to 5 cm.

Length
4.5 cm
Water
Freshwater
Diet
Omnivore
Behaviour
Schooling
Activity
Diurnal
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped
Substrate
Open water
Danger
Harmless
Range
South America: Venezuela

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Description

The Merida tetra is a small characin (Characidae) from clear streams and rivers of northern South America. The species grows to about 5 cm and has a slender, laterally compressed, silvery body with an adipose fin and often a dark tail spot. As a social schooling fish it swims in the middle and upper layer and snaps at small zooplankton, insect larvae and algae. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Merida tetra?

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

Where does the Merida tetra live?

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

How big does the Merida tetra get?

The Merida tetra grows to a maximum of about 5 cm.

Is the Merida tetra dangerous to humans?

No, the Merida 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
Merida tetra sourced
Scientific name
Knodus meridae
Family
Characidae

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
4.5 verified
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
Silver / grey 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 Knodus

More from the family Characidae

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