Home · Characidae · Sardine tetra
Sardine tetra (Acestrocephalus sardina) — Characidae

Sardine tetra

Acestrocephalus sardina
Family: Characidae

The Sardine tetra (Acestrocephalus sardina) is a freshwater fish of the family Characidae that grows up to 16 cm.

Length
15.6 cm
Water
Freshwater
Diet
Omnivore
Activity
Diurnal
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped
Substrate
Open water
Danger
Harmless
Range
South America: Brazil, Venezuela

Want the complete picture on the Sardine tetra?

Get the app

Description

The sardine tetra is a characin (Characidae) from the Amazon basin in South America. The species grows to about 12 cm and has a slender, elongate, silvery body with a pointed head and distinct dog-like teeth. As a fast, darting predator of open water it shoots at small fish and sometimes scrapes scales from larger fish. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Sardine tetra?

The Sardine tetra has a torpedo-shaped body and is mainly silver-grey.

Where does the Sardine tetra live?

The Sardine tetra lives in fresh water and is mostly found around open water. South America: Brazil, Venezuela

How big does the Sardine tetra get?

The Sardine tetra grows to a maximum of about 16 cm.

Is the Sardine tetra dangerous to humans?

No, the Sardine tetra 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.

Fin

Want the complete picture on the Sardine tetra?

Point your camera at the fish and Fin names the species in seconds. Free, and the Sardine tetra is one of 12,519 species in the app.

Get the app →

All data

Identification

English name
Sardine tetra sourced
Scientific name
Acestrocephalus sardina
Family
Characidae

Appearance

Size class
Medium verified
Max length (cm)
15.6 verified
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
Silver / grey sourced
Tail shape
Forked inferred

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Freshwater sourced
Substrate
Open water sourced
Natural range
South America: Brazil, Venezuela sourced
Origin
Native inferred

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Omnivore inferred
Diet (detail)
Invertebrates, algae and detritus inferred
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
Can be caught with natural bait or lures, matched to the size and habitat of the species. 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

More from the family Characidae

Fin

Want the complete picture on the Sardine tetra?

Point your camera at the fish and Fin names the species in seconds. Free, and the Sardine tetra is one of 12,519 species in the app.

Get the app →
Is this the Sardine tetra? Get the app