Home · Curimatidae · Shortfin toothless characin
Shortfin toothless characin (Steindachnerina brevipinna) — Curimatidae

Shortfin toothless characin

Steindachnerina brevipinna
Family: Curimatidae

The Shortfin toothless characin (Steindachnerina brevipinna) is a freshwater fish of the family Curimatidae that grows up to 23 cm.

Length
22.6 cm
Water
Freshwater
Diet
Herbivore
Behaviour
Schooling
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped
Substrate
Mixed bottom
Danger
Harmless
Range
South America: Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay, Uruguay

Want the complete picture on the Shortfin toothless characin?

Get the app

Description

The shortfin toothless characin is a small characin (Curimatidae) from fresh water of the Parana and La Plata basins in South America. The species grows to about 23 cm and has a silvery, elongate body with a small, toothless, downward-facing mouth. As a bottom-oriented detritivore it lives in schools in rivers and floodplains and filters organic silt, algae and detritus from the bottom. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Shortfin toothless characin?

The Shortfin toothless characin has a torpedo-shaped body and is mainly silver-grey.

Where does the Shortfin toothless characin live?

The Shortfin toothless characin lives in fresh water and is mostly found around mixed bottom. South America: Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay, Uruguay

How big does the Shortfin toothless characin get?

The Shortfin toothless characin grows to a maximum of about 23 cm.

Is the Shortfin toothless characin dangerous to humans?

No, the Shortfin toothless characin 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 Shortfin toothless characin?

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

Get the app →

All data

Identification

English name
Shortfin toothless characin sourced
Scientific name
Steindachnerina brevipinna
Family
Curimatidae
Other names
Characin sourced

Appearance

Size class
Medium verified
Max length (cm)
22.6 verified
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
Silver / grey sourced
Tail shape
Forked inferred
Mouth position
Inferior (downward) sourced

Habitat & distribution

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

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Herbivore inferred
Diet (detail)
Algae and plant material inferred
Social behaviour
Schooling sourced
Territorial
No 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 Steindachnerina

More from the family Curimatidae

Fin

Want the complete picture on the Shortfin toothless characin?

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

Get the app →
Is this the Shortfin toothless characin? Get the app