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Ternetz's anostomus (Anostomus ternetzi) — Anostomidae

Ternetz's anostomus

Anostomus ternetzi
Family: Anostomidae
NE · Not Evaluated

The Ternetz's anostomus (Anostomus ternetzi) is a freshwater fish of the family Anostomidae that grows up to 12 cm.

Length
12 cm
Water
Freshwater
Diet
Herbivore
Behaviour
Small groups
Activity
Diurnal
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Mixed bottom
Danger
Harmless
Range
Northern South America
Edibility
Not eaten

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Description

Ternetz's anostomus is a slender characin from fresh water of northern South America, including the Orinoco and upper Amazon basins. The species grows to about 12 cm and has a torpedo-shaped, yellow-brown body with three dark longitudinal bands. It is characterised by its oblique, head-down swimming posture, with which it grazes aufwuchs and algae from stones and wood. The small mouth points upward. The fish is harmless to humans and is popular in the aquarium hobby. The IUCN has not evaluated the species.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Ternetz's anostomus?

The Ternetz's anostomus has an elongate, eel-like body, is mainly yellow-gold and shows a horizontal stripes pattern. Head-down swimming posture; grazes algae from stones and wood

Where does the Ternetz's anostomus live?

The Ternetz's anostomus lives in fresh water and is mostly found around mixed bottom. Northern South America

How big does the Ternetz's anostomus get?

The Ternetz's anostomus grows to a maximum of about 12 cm.

Is the Ternetz's anostomus dangerous to humans?

No, the Ternetz's anostomus 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.

Is the Ternetz's anostomus edible?

The Ternetz's anostomus is not usually eaten.

More photos

Ternetz's anostomus (Anostomus ternetzi) — Anostomidae — 2
iNaturalist ((c) Leo G. Nico, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Ternetz's anostomus (Anostomus ternetzi) — Anostomidae — 3
iNaturalist ((c) ian_solon_ito, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Ternetz's anostomus (Anostomus ternetzi) — Anostomidae — 4
iNaturalist ((c) isjo, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Fin

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All data

Identification

English name
Ternetz's anostomus verified
Scientific name
Anostomus ternetzi
Family
Anostomidae

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
12.0 verified
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like) sourced
Dominant colour
Yellow / gold sourced
Pattern
Horizontal stripes sourced
Tail shape
Forked inferred
Mouth position
Superior (upward) sourced
Lips
Thin sourced
Barbels
No sourced
Dorsal fins
One continuous sourced
Dorsal spines
No sourced

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Freshwater sourced
Substrate
Mixed bottom sourced
Natural range
Northern South America verified
Origin
Native verified

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Herbivore sourced
Diet (detail)
Biofilm and algae inferred
Social behaviour
Small groups sourced
Territorial
No sourced
Activity
Diurnal sourced
Reproduction
Separate sexes sourced
Sexual dimorphism
No sourced
Seasonality
Algae-grazing small headstander; present year-round. sourced
Special features
Head-down swimming posture; grazes algae from stones and wood 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
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 Anostomus

More from the family Anostomidae

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