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Pinto's sabretooth tetra (Oligosarcus pintoi) — Characidae

Pinto's sabretooth tetra

Oligosarcus pintoi
Family: Characidae

The Pinto's sabretooth tetra (Oligosarcus pintoi) is a freshwater fish of the family Characidae that grows up to 9 cm.

Length
8.8 cm
Water
Freshwater
Diet
Omnivore
Activity
Diurnal
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped
Substrate
Mixed bottom
Danger
Harmless

Description

The Pinto's sabretooth tetra is a predatory characin (Characidae) from fresh water of coastal rivers of southeastern Brazil. The species grows to about 9 cm and has an elongate, silvery body with a large mouth and prominent canine teeth. As a schooling open-water hunter it darts at smaller fish, insects and shrimp in rivers and lakes. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Pinto's sabretooth tetra?

The Pinto's sabretooth tetra has a torpedo-shaped body and is mainly silver-grey.

Where does the Pinto's sabretooth tetra live?

The Pinto's sabretooth tetra lives in fresh water and is mostly found around mixed bottom.

How big does the Pinto's sabretooth tetra get?

The Pinto's sabretooth tetra grows to a maximum of about 9 cm.

Is the Pinto's sabretooth tetra dangerous to humans?

No, the Pinto's sabretooth tetra is harmless to humans.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Pintos saber-tetra sourced
English name
Pinto's sabretooth tetra sourced
Scientific name
Oligosarcus pintoi
Family
Characidae

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
8.8 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
Origin
Native inferred

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Omnivore inferred
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 Oligosarcus

More from the family Characidae

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