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Pinktail chalceus (Chalceus epakros) — Characidae

Pinktail chalceus

Chalceus epakros
Family: Characidae

The Pinktail chalceus (Chalceus epakros) is a freshwater fish of the family Characidae that grows up to 17 cm.

Length
17.4 cm
Water
Freshwater
Diet
Omnivore
Behaviour
Schooling
Activity
Diurnal
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Mixed bottom
Danger
Harmless
Range
South America: Brazil, Guyana

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Description

The pinktail chalceus is a characin (Chalceidae) from fresh water of the Amazon and Orinoco basins in South America. The species grows to about 17 cm and has a streamlined, silvery body with conspicuously large scales on the forebody and pointed teeth. As an active, schooling predator it hunts insects and small fish near the surface of rivers. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Pinktail chalceus?

The Pinktail chalceus has an elongate, eel-like body and is mainly silver-grey.

Where does the Pinktail chalceus live?

The Pinktail chalceus lives in fresh water and is mostly found around mixed bottom. South America: Brazil, Guyana

How big does the Pinktail chalceus get?

The Pinktail chalceus grows to a maximum of about 17 cm.

Is the Pinktail chalceus dangerous to humans?

No, the Pinktail chalceus 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.

More photos

Pinktail chalceus (Chalceus epakros) — Characidae — 2
Wikimedia Commons — Gabriel Lelis Togni (CC BY 3.0)
Pinktail chalceus (Chalceus epakros) — Characidae — 3
Wikimedia Commons — Leandro Sousa (CC BY-SA 3.0)
Pinktail chalceus (Chalceus epakros) — Characidae — 4
iNaturalist ((c) ktorg, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Pinktail chalceus (Chalceus epakros) — Characidae — 5
Wikimedia Commons — Zanata, Angela M.; Toledo-Piza, Mônica (CC BY 4.0)
Fin

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All data

Identification

English name
Pinktail chalceus sourced
Scientific name
Chalceus epakros
Family
Characidae

Appearance

Size class
Medium verified
Max length (cm)
17.4 verified
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like) sourced
Dominant colour
Silver / grey sourced
Tail shape
Forked inferred

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Freshwater sourced
Substrate
Mixed bottom sourced
Natural range
South America: Brazil, Guyana sourced
Origin
Native inferred

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Omnivore inferred
Diet (detail)
Invertebrates, algae and detritus inferred
Social behaviour
Schooling sourced
Territorial
No inferred
Activity
Diurnal inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes inferred
Sexual dimorphism
No inferred
Seasonality
Present year-round in its habitat; no pronounced seasonality known. inferred

For anglers

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 verified
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 Chalceus

More from the family Characidae

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