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Upper Parana tetra (Astyanax altiparanae) — Characidae

Upper Parana tetra

Astyanax altiparanae
Family: Characidae

The Upper Parana tetra (Astyanax altiparanae) is a freshwater fish of the family Characidae that grows up to 16 cm.

Length
16.4 cm
Water
Freshwater
Diet
Omnivore
Behaviour
Schooling
Activity
Diurnal
Body shape
Flat / disc-shaped
Substrate
Mixed bottom
Danger
Harmless
Range
South America: Brazil

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Description

The Upper Parana tetra is a small characin (Characidae) from fresh water of the upper Parana basin in Brazil. The species grows to about 16 cm and has a slender, silvery body, often with a dark longitudinal stripe or a spot on the tail base. As a schooling fish it swims in streams and rivers and eats small insects, larvae, plant material and detritus. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Upper Parana tetra?

The Upper Parana tetra has a flattened, disc-shaped body and is mainly silver-grey.

Where does the Upper Parana tetra live?

The Upper Parana tetra lives in fresh water and is mostly found around mixed bottom. South America: Brazil

How big does the Upper Parana tetra get?

The Upper Parana tetra grows to a maximum of about 16 cm.

Is the Upper Parana tetra dangerous to humans?

No, the Upper Parana 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

Upper Parana tetra (Astyanax altiparanae) — Characidae — 2
iNaturalist ((c) Leandro Bareiro Guiñazú, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Upper Parana tetra (Astyanax altiparanae) — Characidae — 3
iNaturalist ((c) Felipe C. Balbino Santos, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Upper Parana tetra (Astyanax altiparanae) — Characidae — 4
iNaturalist ((c) Douglas Lopes, some rights reserved (CC BY))
Upper Parana tetra (Astyanax altiparanae) — Characidae — 5
iNaturalist ((c) Odebrecht, Clarisse, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
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All data

Identification

English name
Upper Parana tetra sourced
Scientific name
Astyanax altiparanae
Family
Characidae

Appearance

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

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Freshwater sourced
Substrate
Mixed bottom sourced
Natural range
South America: Brazil 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
Bottom fishing with natural bait (worm, shrimp or fish) on or just above the seabed. 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

Same genus Astyanax

More from the family Characidae

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