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Paraguay tetra (Aphyocharax dentatus) — Characidae

Paraguay tetra

Aphyocharax dentatus
Family: Characidae
LC · Least Concern

The Paraguay tetra (Aphyocharax dentatus) is a freshwater fish of the family Characidae that grows up to 7 cm.

Length
7.2 cm
Water
Freshwater
Diet
Omnivore
Behaviour
Schooling
Activity
Diurnal
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Mixed bottom
Danger
Harmless
Range
Paraguay river basin
Edibility
Not eaten

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Description

The Paraguay tetra is a small tetra from the Paraguay river basin in South America. The species grows to about 7 cm and has a slender, silvery body, characteristic of the tetras. It forms schools and spawns near the water surface; as an omnivore it eats small zooplankton, insects and plant matter. The fish is harmless to humans, occurs in the aquarium trade and is assessed as Least Concern (LC) by the IUCN.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Paraguay tetra?

The Paraguay tetra has an elongate, eel-like body, is mainly silver-grey and shows a plain pattern. Slender silvery small schooling characin that spawns at the surface

Where does the Paraguay tetra live?

The Paraguay tetra lives in fresh water and is mostly found around mixed bottom. Paraguay river basin

How big does the Paraguay tetra get?

The Paraguay tetra grows to a maximum of about 7 cm.

Is the Paraguay tetra dangerous to humans?

No, the Paraguay 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.

Is the Paraguay tetra edible?

The Paraguay tetra is not usually eaten.

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All data

Identification

English name
Paraguay tetra verified
Scientific name
Aphyocharax dentatus
Family
Characidae

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
7.2 verified
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like) sourced
Dominant colour
Silver / grey sourced
Pattern
Plain sourced
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
Natural range
Paraguay river basin verified
Origin
Native verified

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Omnivore sourced
Diet (detail)
Small zooplankton, insects and plant material inferred
Social behaviour
Schooling sourced
Territorial
No sourced
Activity
Diurnal sourced
Reproduction
Separate sexes sourced
Sexual dimorphism
No sourced
Seasonality
Schooling tetra; spawns at the surface. sourced
Special features
Slender silvery small schooling characin that spawns at the surface sourced

For anglers

Edibility
Not eaten sourced
Fishing method
Not a target species for angling; at most an incidental catch or usable as baitfish. 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 Aphyocharax

More from the family Characidae

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