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Panama characin (Brycon striatulus) — Bryconidae

Panama characin

Brycon striatulus
Family: Bryconidae
LC · Least Concern

The Panama characin (Brycon striatulus) is a freshwater fish of the family Bryconidae that grows up to 37 cm.

Length
36.5 cm
Water
Freshwater
Depth
0–? m
Diet
Omnivore
Behaviour
Schooling
Activity
Diurnal
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Mixed bottom
Danger
Harmless
Range
Panama (Pacific side)
Edibility
Commonly eaten

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Description

The Panama characin is a characin from the Pacific slope of Panama in Central America. It grows to about 37 cm and has a streamlined, silvery body with an adipose fin behind the dorsal fin, characteristic of the characins. It lives in tropical freshwater rivers and feeds omnivorously on a variety of small animal and plant matter, including fruits and seeds that fall into the water. The fish is a valued food fish. The IUCN assesses the species as Least Concern (LC).

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Panama characin?

The Panama characin has an elongate, eel-like body, is mainly silver-grey and shows a plain pattern. Streamlined characin with a small adipose fin; also eats fruits and seeds

Where does the Panama characin live?

The Panama characin lives in fresh water and is mostly found around mixed bottom. Panama (Pacific side)

How big does the Panama characin get?

The Panama characin grows to a maximum of about 37 cm.

Is the Panama characin dangerous to humans?

No, the Panama characin 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 Panama characin edible?

Yes, the Panama characin is commonly eaten.

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All data

Identification

English name
Panama characin verified
Scientific name
Brycon striatulus
Family
Bryconidae

Appearance

Size class
Medium verified
Max length (cm)
36.5 verified
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like) sourced
Dominant colour
Silver / grey inferred
Pattern
Plain inferred
Tail shape
Forked inferred
Mouth position
Terminal sourced
Lips
Thin sourced
Barbels
No sourced
Dorsal fins
One continuous sourced
Dorsal spines
No sourced

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Freshwater sourced
Substrate
Mixed bottom sourced
Min depth (m)
0 sourced
Natural range
Panama (Pacific side) verified
Origin
Native verified

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Omnivore sourced
Diet (detail)
Insects, small invertebrates, fruits and seeds inferred
Social behaviour
Schooling sourced
Territorial
No sourced
Activity
Diurnal sourced
Reproduction
Separate sexes sourced
Sexual dimorphism
No sourced
Seasonality
River fish; spawns in the rainy season. sourced
Special features
Streamlined characin with a small adipose fin; also eats fruits and seeds sourced

For anglers

Edibility
Commonly eaten sourced
Fishing method
Fishing with bread, fruit or insects as bait in flowing water. sourced
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 Brycon

More from the family Bryconidae

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