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White sardine tetra (Triportheus albus) — Triportheidae

White sardine tetra

Triportheus albus
Family: Triportheidae

The White sardine tetra (Triportheus albus) is a freshwater fish of the family Triportheidae that grows up to 26 cm.

Length
25.7 cm
Water
Freshwater
Behaviour
Schooling
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped
Substrate
Mixed bottom
Danger
Harmless

Description

The white sardine tetra is a characin (Triportheidae) from fresh water of the Amazon and Orinoco basins of South America. The species grows to about 26 cm and has a silvery body with a deep, keeled chest and greatly enlarged, fan-shaped pectoral fins. As an open-water fish it swims in schools near the surface of rivers and flooded forests and eats insects, seeds, fruit and small zooplankton. It is a local bait and food fish. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the White sardine tetra?

The White sardine tetra has a torpedo-shaped body and is mainly silver-grey.

Where does the White sardine tetra live?

The White sardine tetra lives in fresh water and is mostly found around mixed bottom.

How big does the White sardine tetra get?

The White sardine tetra grows to a maximum of about 26 cm.

Is the White sardine tetra dangerous to humans?

No, the White sardine tetra is harmless to humans.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Witte vlagzalm sourced
English name
White sardine tetra sourced
Scientific name
Triportheus albus
Family
Triportheidae

Appearance

Size class
Medium verified
Max length (cm)
25.7 verified
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
Silver / grey sourced
Tail shape
Forked inferred

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Freshwater sourced
Substrate
Mixed bottom sourced
Origin
Native inferred

Behaviour & biology

Social behaviour
Schooling sourced
Territorial
No inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes inferred
Sexual dimorphism
No inferred

For anglers

Fishing method
Bodemvissen met natuurlijk aas (worm, garnaal of vis) op of vlak boven de bodem. inferred
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless verified

Status & sources

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

Same genus Triportheus

More from the family Triportheidae

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