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Dwarf pike characin (Acestrorhynchus minimus) — Acestrorhynchidae

Dwarf pike characin

Acestrorhynchus minimus

The Dwarf pike characin (Acestrorhynchus minimus) is a freshwater fish of the family Acestrorhynchidae that grows up to 6 cm.

Length
6.3 cm
Water
Freshwater
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Small groups
Activity
Diurnal
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Mixed bottom
Danger
Harmless
Edibility
Not eaten

Description

The dwarf pike characin is a slender predatory characin from northern South America, in the Amazon and Orinoco region. The species grows to about 6 cm and has an elongate, silvery body with a pointed head and sharp teeth, characteristic of the pike characins. As a fast predator it hunts small fish and insects in open water. It forms loose groups. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Dwarf pike characin?

The Dwarf pike characin has an elongate, eel-like body, is mainly silver-grey and shows a plain pattern.

Where does the Dwarf pike characin live?

The Dwarf pike characin lives in fresh water and is mostly found around mixed bottom.

How big does the Dwarf pike characin get?

The Dwarf pike characin grows to a maximum of about 6 cm.

Is the Dwarf pike characin dangerous to humans?

No, the Dwarf pike characin is harmless to humans.

Is the Dwarf pike characin edible?

The Dwarf pike characin is not usually eaten.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Dwerg-snoekzalm verified
English name
Dwarf pike characin verified
Scientific name
Acestrorhynchus minimus
Family
Acestrorhynchidae

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
6.3 verified
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like) sourced
Dominant colour
Silver / grey sourced
Pattern
Plain sourced
Tail shape
Forked inferred
Mouth position
Terminal 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
Origin
Native verified

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore sourced
Social behaviour
Small groups sourced
Territorial
No sourced
Activity
Diurnal sourced
Reproduction
Separate sexes sourced
Sexual dimorphism
No sourced

For anglers

Edibility
Not eaten sourced
Fishing method
Geen doelsoort voor de hengelsport; hooguit incidentele vangst of bruikbaar als aasvisje. inferred
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless sourced

Status & sources

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

Same genus Acestrorhynchus

More from the family Acestrorhynchidae

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