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Charax tectifer — Characidae

Charax tectifer

Charax tectifer
Family: Characidae
LC · Least Concern

The Charax tectifer is a freshwater fish of the family Characidae that grows up to 14 cm.

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

Description

Charax tectifer is a characin (Characidae) from western South America (upper Amazon basin). The species reaches about 14 cm and has a deep, semi-transparent, compressed body with a humped back and an upturned mouth. It lives in rivers and streams and often holds itself at an oblique angle in the water. The diet consists of small invertebrates; the species is possibly a partial scale-eater that nips scales from other fishes. Through its glassy body it is hard to see in the water column. Little is yet known about the precise ecology of the species.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Charax tectifer?

The Charax tectifer has an elongate, eel-like body, is mainly silver-grey and shows a plain pattern.

Where does the Charax tectifer live?

The Charax tectifer lives in fresh water and is mostly found around mixed bottom.

How big does the Charax tectifer get?

The Charax tectifer grows to a maximum of about 14 cm. On average the species is around 9 cm.

Is the Charax tectifer dangerous to humans?

No, the Charax tectifer is harmless to humans.

Is the Charax tectifer edible?

The Charax tectifer is not usually eaten.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Glaskopstaander sourced
English name
Charax tectifer sourced
Scientific name
Charax tectifer
Family
Characidae

Appearance

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

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Freshwater sourced
Substrate
Mixed bottom sourced
Origin
Native sourced

Behaviour & biology

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

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 Charax

More from the family Characidae

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