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Napo tetra (Moenkhausia naponis) — Characidae

Napo tetra

Moenkhausia naponis
Family: Characidae

The Napo tetra (Moenkhausia naponis) is a freshwater fish of the family Characidae that grows up to 5 cm.

Length
5.4 cm
Water
Freshwater
Diet
Omnivore
Behaviour
Schooling
Activity
Diurnal
Body shape
Flat / disc-shaped
Substrate
Open water
Danger
Harmless
Range
South America: Ecuador

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Description

The Napo tetra is a South American characin (Characidae) from fresh water of the upper Amazon basin, including the Napo. The species grows to about 6 cm and has a slender, silvery body with large eyes and a spot on the tail base. As a schooling fish it swims in clear streams and rivers and snaps at insects, larvae, algae and small zooplankton. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Napo tetra?

The Napo tetra has a flattened, disc-shaped body and is mainly silver-grey.

Where does the Napo tetra live?

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

How big does the Napo tetra get?

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

Is the Napo tetra dangerous to humans?

No, the Napo 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
Napo tetra sourced
Scientific name
Moenkhausia naponis
Family
Characidae

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
5.4 verified
Body shape
Flat / disc-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: Ecuador 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 Moenkhausia

More from the family Characidae

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