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Crystal tetra (Roeboides bouchellei) — Characidae

Crystal tetra

Roeboides bouchellei
Family: Characidae
LC · Least Concern

The Crystal tetra (Roeboides bouchellei) is a freshwater fish of the family Characidae that grows up to 8 cm.

Length
8.2 cm
Water
Freshwater
Diet
Omnivore
Behaviour
Large groups
Activity
Diurnal
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped
Substrate
Mixed bottom
Danger
Harmless
Edibility
Not eaten

Description

The glass tetra is a small characin (Characidae) from Central America. The species is small and has a translucent, glassy body with a silvery shimmer and often a dark shoulder and tail spot. It lives in schools in quiet parts of creeks and shoreline zones of larger rivers with low to moderate current. Characteristic of the genus is that it also nips scales from other fishes, besides insects and small plankton. The species is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Crystal tetra?

The Crystal tetra has a torpedo-shaped body, is mainly silver-grey and shows a spots pattern.

Where does the Crystal tetra live?

The Crystal tetra lives in fresh water and is mostly found around mixed bottom.

How big does the Crystal tetra get?

The Crystal tetra grows to a maximum of about 8 cm.

Is the Crystal tetra dangerous to humans?

No, the Crystal tetra is harmless to humans.

Is the Crystal tetra edible?

The Crystal tetra is not usually eaten.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Glaszalm sourced
English name
Crystal tetra verified
Scientific name
Roeboides bouchellei
Family
Characidae
Other names
Glass headstander verified

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
8.2 verified
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
Silver / grey inferred
Pattern
Spots inferred
Tail shape
Forked inferred
Mouth position
Terminal inferred
Lips
Thin inferred
Barbels
No sourced
Dorsal fins
Two separate inferred
Dorsal spines
No sourced

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Freshwater sourced
Substrate
Mixed bottom sourced
Origin
Native sourced

Behaviour & biology

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

For anglers

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

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless sourced

Status & sources

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

Same genus Roeboides

More from the family Characidae

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