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Slender tetra (Iguanodectes spilurus) — Iguanodectidae

Slender tetra

Iguanodectes spilurus
Family: Iguanodectidae
LC · Least Concern

The Slender tetra (Iguanodectes spilurus) is a freshwater fish of the family Iguanodectidae that grows up to 10 cm.

Length
10.1 cm
Water
Freshwater
Diet
Omnivore
Behaviour
Schooling
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped
Substrate
Mixed bottom
Danger
Harmless
Range
South America; fast-flowing creeks and bank zones of the Amazon and Orinoco basins.
Edibility
Not eaten

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Description

The slender tetra is a South American characin of the family Iguanodectidae from the Amazon and Orinoco basins. The species grows to about 10 cm and has a very slender, elongate, silver-green body with a shining lateral stripe and a red or yellow tinge on the fins. It occurs in fast-flowing creeks and vegetated bank zones. As an omnivore it feeds on small invertebrates, insects, algae and plant matter. It is a peaceful schooling fish that stays just below the surface. The species is popular in the aquarium and is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Slender tetra?

The Slender tetra has a torpedo-shaped body, is mainly green and shows a horizontal stripes pattern. Very slender, silvery green body with a shiny longitudinal stripe; peaceful small surface-schooling fish.

Where does the Slender tetra live?

The Slender tetra lives in fresh water and is mostly found around mixed bottom. South America; fast-flowing creeks and bank zones of the Amazon and Orinoco basins.

How big does the Slender tetra get?

The Slender tetra grows to a maximum of about 10 cm.

Is the Slender tetra dangerous to humans?

No, the Slender tetra is harmless to humans. None required: this species is harmless to humans.

Is the Slender tetra edible?

The Slender tetra is not usually eaten.

More photos

Slender tetra (Iguanodectes spilurus) — Iguanodectidae — 2
iNaturalist ((c) Kevin Brix, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA))
Slender tetra (Iguanodectes spilurus) — Iguanodectidae — 3
iNaturalist ((c) Leo G. Nico, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Fin

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All data

Identification

English name
Slender tetra sourced
Scientific name
Iguanodectes spilurus
Family
Iguanodectidae

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
10.1 verified
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
Green inferred
Pattern
Horizontal stripes inferred
Tail shape
Forked inferred
Mouth position
Terminal inferred
Lips
Thin inferred
Barbels
No sourced
Dorsal fins
One continuous inferred
Dorsal spines
No sourced

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Freshwater sourced
Substrate
Mixed bottom sourced
Natural range
South America; fast-flowing creeks and bank zones of the Amazon and Orinoco basins. inferred
Origin
Native sourced

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Omnivore sourced
Diet (detail)
Small invertebrates, insects, algae and plant material sourced
Social behaviour
Schooling inferred
Territorial
No inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes sourced
Sexual dimorphism
No inferred
Seasonality
Present year-round in its habitat; no pronounced seasonality known. inferred
Special features
Very slender, silvery green body with a shiny longitudinal stripe; peaceful small surface-schooling fish. sourced

For anglers

Edibility
Not eaten sourced
Fishing method
Not a target species for angling; at most an incidental catch or usable as baitfish. inferred
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless sourced
First aid
None required: this species is harmless to humans. sourced

Status & sources

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

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