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Paraiba tetra (Astyanax paranahybae) — Characidae

Paraiba tetra

Astyanax paranahybae
Family: Characidae

The Paraiba tetra (Astyanax paranahybae) is a freshwater fish of the family Characidae that grows up to 6 cm.

Length
6 cm
Water
Freshwater
Diet
Omnivore
Behaviour
Schooling
Activity
Diurnal
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped
Substrate
Open water
Danger
Harmless

Description

The Paraiba tetra is a characin (Characidae) from clear streams and rivers of eastern Brazil. The species grows to about 6 cm and has a slender, laterally compressed, silvery body with an adipose fin and often a dark tail or shoulder spot. As a social schooling fish it swims in the middle and upper layer and snaps at insects, larvae, small invertebrates and plant matter. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Paraiba tetra?

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

Where does the Paraiba tetra live?

The Paraiba tetra lives in fresh water and is mostly found around open water.

How big does the Paraiba tetra get?

The Paraiba tetra grows to a maximum of about 6 cm.

Is the Paraiba tetra dangerous to humans?

No, the Paraiba tetra is harmless to humans.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Paraiba-zalmpje sourced
English name
Paraiba tetra sourced
Scientific name
Astyanax paranahybae
Family
Characidae

Appearance

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

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Freshwater sourced
Substrate
Open water sourced
Origin
Native inferred

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Omnivore inferred
Social behaviour
Schooling sourced
Territorial
No inferred
Activity
Diurnal 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 Astyanax

More from the family Characidae

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