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Vari's biara (Steindachnerina varii) — Curimatidae

Vari's biara

Steindachnerina varii
Family: Curimatidae

The Vari's biara (Steindachnerina varii) is a freshwater fish of the family Curimatidae that grows up to 9 cm.

Length
9.4 cm
Water
Freshwater
Diet
Herbivore
Behaviour
Schooling
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom
Danger
Harmless
Range
Northeastern South America; coastal rivers of the Guianas, between the Suriname and Oyapock rivers.
Edibility
Rarely eaten

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Description

The Vari's biara is a detritivorous characin (Curimatidae) from rivers and floodplains of northern South America. The species grows to about 12 cm and has a silvery body with a toothless, inferior mouth. As a detritus feeder it grazes over soft bottoms on organic mud, algae and micro-organisms. It forms large schools. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Vari's biara?

The Vari's biara has an elongate, eel-like body, is mainly silver-grey and shows a plain pattern. Toothless bottom grazer and detritivore; processes organic material in the river ecosystem.

Where does the Vari's biara live?

The Vari's biara lives in fresh water and is mostly found around sand or mud bottom. Northeastern South America; coastal rivers of the Guianas, between the Suriname and Oyapock rivers.

How big does the Vari's biara get?

The Vari's biara grows to a maximum of about 9 cm.

Is the Vari's biara dangerous to humans?

No, the Vari's biara is harmless to humans. None required: this species is harmless to humans.

Is the Vari's biara edible?

The Vari's biara is rarely eaten.

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All data

Identification

English name
Vari's biara sourced
Scientific name
Steindachnerina varii
Family
Curimatidae

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
9.4 verified
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like) sourced
Dominant colour
Silver / grey sourced
Pattern
Plain inferred
Tail shape
Forked inferred
Mouth position
Inferior (downward) sourced
Lips
Thin inferred
Barbels
No sourced
Dorsal fins
One continuous inferred
Dorsal spines
No sourced

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Freshwater sourced
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom sourced
Natural range
Northeastern South America; coastal rivers of the Guianas, between the Suriname and Oyapock rivers. inferred
Origin
Native sourced

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Herbivore sourced
Diet (detail)
Algae, organic silt and detritus from the bottom sourced
Social behaviour
Schooling sourced
Territorial
No inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes sourced
Sexual dimorphism
No inferred
Seasonality
Present year-round in its habitat; no pronounced seasonality known. inferred
Special features
Toothless bottom grazer and detritivore; processes organic material in the river ecosystem. sourced

For anglers

Edibility
Rarely eaten sourced
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
None required: this species is harmless to humans. sourced

Status & sources

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

Same genus Steindachnerina

More from the family Curimatidae

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