Home · Hemiodontidae · One-spot halftooth
One-spot halftooth (Hemiodus unimaculatus) — Hemiodontidae

One-spot halftooth

Hemiodus unimaculatus
Family: Hemiodontidae
LC · Least Concern

The One-spot halftooth (Hemiodus unimaculatus) is a freshwater fish of the family Hemiodontidae that grows up to 33 cm.

Length
32.9 cm
Water
Freshwater
Diet
Herbivore
Behaviour
Schooling
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped
Substrate
Mixed bottom
Danger
Harmless
Range
Fast-flowing rivers of northern South America.
Edibility
Rarely eaten

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Description

Hemiodus unimaculatus is a slender characin of the family Hemiodontidae from northern South America. The species has a streamlined, silvery body with a conspicuous round dark spot on the flank and a stripe running to the lower caudal lobe, and reaches about 33 cm. It occurs in fast-flowing rivers with a rocky bottom and is abundant in the lower reaches. As a detritus and aufwuchs feeder it feeds on detritus and periphyton from the bottom and surfaces. It matures at about 11 cm and spawns in the rainy season. The species is of limited local fishery importance and is sometimes found in the aquarium trade.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the One-spot halftooth?

The One-spot halftooth has a torpedo-shaped body, is mainly silver-grey and shows a spots pattern. Round dark flank spot with a stripe to the tail; detritus and periphyton eater.

Where does the One-spot halftooth live?

The One-spot halftooth lives in fresh water and is mostly found around mixed bottom. Fast-flowing rivers of northern South America.

How big does the One-spot halftooth get?

The One-spot halftooth grows to a maximum of about 33 cm.

Is the One-spot halftooth dangerous to humans?

No, the One-spot halftooth 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.

Is the One-spot halftooth edible?

The One-spot halftooth is rarely eaten.

More photos

One-spot halftooth (Hemiodus unimaculatus) — Hemiodontidae — 2
iNaturalist ((c) SHAD, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
One-spot halftooth (Hemiodus unimaculatus) — Hemiodontidae — 3
Wikimedia Commons — Robert Hermann Schomburgk (Public domain)
One-spot halftooth (Hemiodus unimaculatus) — Hemiodontidae — 4
Florida Museum of Natural History Ichthyology (CC BY-NC 4.0) via GBIF — UF
One-spot halftooth (Hemiodus unimaculatus) — Hemiodontidae — 5
iNaturalist ((c) Leo G. Nico, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Fin

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All data

Identification

English name
One-spot halftooth sourced
Scientific name
Hemiodus unimaculatus
Family
Hemiodontidae

Appearance

Size class
Medium verified
Max length (cm)
32.9 verified
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
Silver / grey inferred
Pattern
Spots inferred
Tail shape
Forked inferred
Mouth position
Inferior (downward) inferred
Lips
Thin inferred
Barbels
No sourced
Dorsal fins
One continuous inferred
Dorsal spines
No sourced

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Freshwater sourced
Substrate
Mixed bottom sourced
Natural range
Fast-flowing rivers of northern South America. inferred
Origin
Native sourced

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Herbivore sourced
Diet (detail)
Detritus and periphyton sourced
Social behaviour
Schooling inferred
Territorial
No inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes sourced
Sexual dimorphism
No inferred
Seasonality
Spawns in the rainy season. inferred
Special features
Round dark flank spot with a stripe to the tail; detritus and periphyton eater. sourced

For anglers

Edibility
Rarely eaten sourced
Fishing method
Bottom fishing with natural bait (worm, shrimp or fish) on or just above the seabed. inferred
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless sourced
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 Hemiodus

More from the family Hemiodontidae

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