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Bluefin tetra (Paragoniates alburnus) — Characidae

Bluefin tetra

Paragoniates alburnus
Family: Characidae

The Bluefin tetra (Paragoniates alburnus) 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
Body shape
Flat / disc-shaped
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom
Danger
Harmless
Edibility
Commonly eaten

Description

The bluefin tetra is a small characin (Characidae) from fresh water of the Amazon and Orinoco basins in South America. The species grows to about 6 cm and has a slender, translucent, silvery body with a bluish sheen and a deep, keeled chest. As an open-water fish it swims in schools near the surface of rivers and eats small insects, larvae and zooplankton. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Bluefin tetra?

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

Where does the Bluefin tetra live?

The Bluefin tetra lives in fresh water and is mostly found around sand or mud bottom.

How big does the Bluefin tetra get?

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

Is the Bluefin tetra dangerous to humans?

No, the Bluefin tetra is harmless to humans.

Is the Bluefin tetra edible?

Yes, the Bluefin tetra is commonly eaten.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Blauwe zweep-tetra sourced
English name
Bluefin tetra sourced
Scientific name
Paragoniates alburnus
Family
Characidae

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
6.0 verified
Body shape
Flat / disc-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
Silver / grey sourced
Tail shape
Forked inferred

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Freshwater sourced
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom sourced
Origin
Native inferred

Behaviour & biology

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

For anglers

Edibility
Commonly eaten inferred
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

More from the family Characidae

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