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Georgia tetra (Moenkhausia georgiae) — Characidae

Georgia tetra

Moenkhausia georgiae
Family: Characidae
LC · Least Concern

The Georgia tetra (Moenkhausia georgiae) 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
Substrate
Open water
Danger
Harmless
Edibility
Not eaten

Description

The Georgia tetra is a small, silvery characin of the family Characidae (true tetras) reaching about 6 cm. The slender, laterally compressed body has an adipose fin (as in many characins) and a dark spot on the tail base. The species comes from the fresh water of the Guianas in northern South America and lives in schools in clear streams and rivers with vegetated banks. As an omnivore it eats insects, zooplankton, algae and plant matter, taken in the water column and at the surface. In the rainy season it spawns among the water plants. Through its great numbers it is an important prey fish for larger species and occasionally appears in the aquarium hobby.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Georgia tetra?

The Georgia tetra is mainly silver-grey and shows a plain pattern.

Where does the Georgia tetra live?

The Georgia tetra lives in fresh water and is mostly found around open water.

How big does the Georgia tetra get?

The Georgia tetra grows to a maximum of about 6 cm.

Is the Georgia tetra dangerous to humans?

No, the Georgia tetra is harmless to humans.

Is the Georgia tetra edible?

The Georgia tetra is not usually eaten.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Georgia-tetra inferred
English name
Georgia tetra verified
Scientific name
Moenkhausia georgiae
Family
Characidae

Appearance

Max length (cm)
6 verified
Dominant colour
Silver / grey sourced
Pattern
Plain sourced
Tail shape
Forked inferred
Mouth position
Terminal inferred
Lips
Thin inferred
Barbels
No verified
Dorsal fins
One continuous sourced
Dorsal spines
No verified

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Freshwater verified
Substrate
Open water verified
Origin
Native verified

Behaviour & biology

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

For anglers

Edibility
Not eaten verified
Fishing method
Geen doelsoort voor de hengelsport; hooguit incidentele vangst of bruikbaar als aasvisje. 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 Moenkhausia

More from the family Characidae

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