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Steindachner's tetra (Bario steindachneri) — Characidae

Steindachner's tetra

Bario steindachneri
Family: Characidae

The Steindachner's tetra (Bario steindachneri) is a freshwater fish of the family Characidae that grows up to 9 cm.

Length
9 cm
Water
Freshwater
Diet
Omnivore
Behaviour
Schooling
Activity
Diurnal
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Open water
Danger
Harmless
Range
South America: Brazil, Peru

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Description

Steindachner's tetra is a small characin (Characidae) from fresh water of the Amazon basin in South America. The species grows to about 9 cm and has a slender, silvery, laterally compressed body with fine dark markings. As an open-water schooling fish it swims in rivers and channels and eats small insects, larvae and plant material. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Steindachner's tetra?

The Steindachner's tetra has an elongate, eel-like body and is mainly silver-grey.

Where does the Steindachner's tetra live?

The Steindachner's tetra lives in fresh water and is mostly found around open water. South America: Brazil, Peru

How big does the Steindachner's tetra get?

The Steindachner's tetra grows to a maximum of about 9 cm.

Is the Steindachner's tetra dangerous to humans?

No, the Steindachner's 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.

More photos

Steindachner's tetra (Bario steindachneri) — Characidae — 2
iNaturalist ((c) Phil Kahler, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Steindachner's tetra (Bario steindachneri) — Characidae — 3
Wikimedia Commons — Balzan, L. (CC0)
Steindachner's tetra (Bario steindachneri) — Characidae — 4
iNaturalist ((c) Phil Kahler, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Steindachner's tetra (Bario steindachneri) — Characidae — 5
Wikimedia Commons — Balzan, L. (CC0)
Fin

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All data

Identification

English name
Steindachner's tetra sourced
Scientific name
Bario steindachneri
Family
Characidae

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
9.0 verified
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like) 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, Peru sourced
Origin
Native inferred

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Omnivore inferred
Diet (detail)
Invertebrates, algae and detritus inferred
Social behaviour
Schooling sourced
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
Small in size and barely an angling target; mostly caught incidentally or as baitfish. 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

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