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Terraba tetra (Pseudocheirodon terrabae) — Characidae

Terraba tetra

Pseudocheirodon terrabae
Family: Characidae

The Terraba tetra (Pseudocheirodon terrabae) is a freshwater fish of the family Characidae that grows up to 5 cm.

Length
5.1 cm
Water
Freshwater
Diet
Omnivore
Behaviour
Schooling
Activity
Diurnal
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped
Substrate
Open water
Danger
Harmless
Range
North America: Costa Rica

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Description

The Terraba tetra is a small characin (Characidae) from fresh water of Central America. The species grows to about 4 cm and has a slender, translucent silvery body with a small adipose fin and a fine dark longitudinal stripe. As a social schooling fish it swims in clear streams and rivers and snaps at small zooplankton, insect larvae and algae. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Terraba tetra?

The Terraba tetra has a torpedo-shaped body, is mainly silver-grey and shows a horizontal stripes pattern.

Where does the Terraba tetra live?

The Terraba tetra lives in fresh water and is mostly found around open water. North America: Costa Rica

How big does the Terraba tetra get?

The Terraba tetra grows to a maximum of about 5 cm.

Is the Terraba tetra dangerous to humans?

No, the Terraba 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.

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All data

Identification

English name
Terraba tetra sourced
Scientific name
Pseudocheirodon terrabae
Family
Characidae
Other names
Térraba tetra sourced

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
5.1 verified
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
Silver / grey sourced
Pattern
Horizontal stripes sourced
Tail shape
Forked inferred

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Freshwater sourced
Substrate
Open water sourced
Natural range
North America: Costa Rica 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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