Home · Characidae · Glass sardine
Glass sardine (Roeboides dayi) — Characidae

Glass sardine

Roeboides dayi
Family: Characidae
LC · Least Concern

The Glass sardine (Roeboides dayi) is a freshwater fish of the family Characidae that grows up to 13 cm.

Length
12.7 cm
Water
Freshwater
Diet
Omnivore
Behaviour
Large groups
Activity
Diurnal
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Mixed bottom
Danger
Harmless
Edibility
Not eaten

Description

Day's glass tetra is a small characin (Characidae) from South America. The species is small and has a translucent, glassy body with a silvery shimmer and often a dark shoulder and tail spot. It prefers slightly turbid, standing water and often holds itself at an angle with the head up. Characteristic of the genus is that it also nips scales from other fishes, besides small invertebrates. The species is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Glass sardine?

The Glass sardine has an elongate, eel-like body, is mainly silver-grey and shows a spots pattern.

Where does the Glass sardine live?

The Glass sardine lives in fresh water and is mostly found around mixed bottom.

How big does the Glass sardine get?

The Glass sardine grows to a maximum of about 13 cm.

Is the Glass sardine dangerous to humans?

No, the Glass sardine is harmless to humans.

Is the Glass sardine edible?

The Glass sardine is not usually eaten.

Download Fin's Fish Guide

Identify fish in seconds, log your catches and dives. Join the TestFlight beta.

Get the beta →

All data

Identification

Dutch name
Days glaszalm sourced
English name
Glass sardine verified
Scientific name
Roeboides dayi
Family
Characidae
Other names
Hunch back sardine verified

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
12.7 verified
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like) 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

Download Fin's Fish Guide

Identify fish in seconds, log your catches and dives. Join the TestFlight beta.

Get the beta →