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Toothed piabucus (Piabucus dentatus) — Iguanodectidae

Toothed piabucus

Piabucus dentatus
LC · Least Concern

The Toothed piabucus (Piabucus dentatus) is a brackish-water fish of the family Iguanodectidae that grows up to 13 cm.

Length
12.9 cm
Water
Brackish
Diet
Omnivore
Behaviour
Schooling
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped
Substrate
Mixed bottom
Danger
Harmless
Edibility
Rarely eaten

Description

The toothed piabucus is a South American characin of the family Iguanodectidae from the north of the continent. The species grows to about 13 cm and has an elongate, laterally compressed, silvery body. The orientation of its eyes and mouth indicates life near the water surface. It occurs in estuaries and the lower reaches of rivers, often in brackish water, and forms schools. As an omnivore it feeds on insects, small invertebrates and plant matter at the surface. Owing to its modest size the species is of limited fishery interest. The toothed piabucus is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Toothed piabucus?

The Toothed piabucus has a torpedo-shaped body, is mainly silver-grey and shows a plain pattern.

Where does the Toothed piabucus live?

The Toothed piabucus lives in brackish water and is mostly found around mixed bottom.

How big does the Toothed piabucus get?

The Toothed piabucus grows to a maximum of about 13 cm.

Is the Toothed piabucus dangerous to humans?

No, the Toothed piabucus is harmless to humans.

Is the Toothed piabucus edible?

The Toothed piabucus is rarely eaten.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Estuarium-tetra sourced
English name
Toothed piabucus sourced
Scientific name
Piabucus dentatus
Family
Iguanodectidae

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
12.9 verified
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
Silver / grey inferred
Pattern
Plain inferred
Tail shape
Forked inferred
Mouth position
Superior (upward) inferred
Lips
Thin inferred
Barbels
No sourced
Dorsal fins
One continuous inferred
Dorsal spines
No sourced

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Brackish sourced
Substrate
Mixed bottom sourced
Origin
Native sourced

Behaviour & biology

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

For anglers

Edibility
Rarely eaten sourced
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 sourced

Status & sources

Sources
FishBase via GBIF (DwC-A), CC-BY-NC 4.0

More from the family Iguanodectidae

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