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Threadfin pyrrhulina (Pyrrhulina filamentosa) — Lebiasinidae

Threadfin pyrrhulina

Pyrrhulina filamentosa
Family: Lebiasinidae
LC · Least Concern

The Threadfin pyrrhulina (Pyrrhulina filamentosa) is a freshwater fish of the family Lebiasinidae that grows up to 11 cm.

Length
11.1 cm
Water
Freshwater
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Small groups
Activity
Diurnal
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped
Substrate
Algae or seagrass meadow
Danger
Harmless
Edibility
Not eaten

Description

The threadfin pyrrhulina is a slender, graceful characin of the family Lebiasinidae reaching about 11 cm. The silvery body with a brownish-red lengthwise stripe has an upturned mouth, suited to life just below the water surface; in the male the outer tail-fin rays extend into thread-like points. The species comes from the fresh water of northern South America and lives in slow, densely vegetated water of creeks and rivers. It hunts insects and small invertebrates at and just below the surface. When breeding the pair lays the eggs on a leaf or stone just below the surface, after which the male guards and regularly splashes them. For its size and behaviour it appears in the aquarium hobby.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Threadfin pyrrhulina?

The Threadfin pyrrhulina has a torpedo-shaped body, is mainly silver-grey and shows a horizontal stripes pattern.

Where does the Threadfin pyrrhulina live?

The Threadfin pyrrhulina lives in fresh water and is mostly found around algae or seagrass beds.

How big does the Threadfin pyrrhulina get?

The Threadfin pyrrhulina grows to a maximum of about 11 cm.

Is the Threadfin pyrrhulina dangerous to humans?

No, the Threadfin pyrrhulina is harmless to humans.

Is the Threadfin pyrrhulina edible?

The Threadfin pyrrhulina is not usually eaten.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Draadvin-pyrrhulina inferred
English name
Threadfin pyrrhulina verified
Scientific name
Pyrrhulina filamentosa
Family
Lebiasinidae

Appearance

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

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Freshwater verified
Substrate
Algae or seagrass meadow verified
Origin
Native verified

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore verified
Social behaviour
Small groups verified
Territorial
Yes verified
Activity
Diurnal inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes verified
Sexual dimorphism
Yes verified

For anglers

Edibility
Not eaten verified
Fishing method
Geen doelsoort voor de hengelsport; hooguit incidentele vangst of bruikbaar als aasvisje. inferred
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless verified

Status & sources

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

Same genus Pyrrhulina

More from the family Lebiasinidae

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