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Elegant darter tetra (Ammocryptocharax elegans) — Crenuchidae

Elegant darter tetra

Ammocryptocharax elegans
Family: Crenuchidae

The Elegant darter tetra (Ammocryptocharax elegans) is a freshwater fish of the family Crenuchidae that grows up to 3 cm.

Length
3.2 cm
Water
Freshwater
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom
Danger
Harmless

Description

The elegant darter tetra is a small characin (Crenuchidae) from clear streams and blackwater creeks of the Amazon and Orinoco basin in South America. The species grows to about 4 cm and has a slender, translucent body with fine markings and often rests on the bottom with its pectoral fins like a darter. As a bottom-dweller it shelters among sand, leaf litter and roots and snaps at tiny invertebrates. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Elegant darter tetra?

The Elegant darter tetra has an elongate, eel-like body, is mainly brown and shows a spots pattern.

Where does the Elegant darter tetra live?

The Elegant darter tetra lives in fresh water and is mostly found around sand or mud bottom.

How big does the Elegant darter tetra get?

The Elegant darter tetra grows to a maximum of about 3 cm.

Is the Elegant darter tetra dangerous to humans?

No, the Elegant darter tetra is harmless to humans.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Sierlijke darterzalm sourced
English name
Elegant darter tetra sourced
Scientific name
Ammocryptocharax elegans
Family
Crenuchidae

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
3.2 verified
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like) sourced
Dominant colour
Brown sourced
Pattern
Spots sourced
Tail shape
Forked inferred

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Freshwater sourced
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom sourced
Origin
Native inferred

Behaviour & biology

Territorial
No inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes inferred
Sexual dimorphism
No inferred

For anglers

Fishing method
Klein van stuk en nauwelijks een hengelsportdoel; wordt vooral incidenteel of als aasvis gevangen. 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 Ammocryptocharax

More from the family Crenuchidae

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