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Dogtooth characin (Cynodon meionactis) — Cynodontidae

Dogtooth characin

Cynodon meionactis
Family: Cynodontidae
LC · Least Concern

The Dogtooth characin (Cynodon meionactis) is a freshwater fish of the family Cynodontidae that grows up to 30 cm.

Length
30 cm
Water
Freshwater
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Small groups
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Open water
Danger
Harmless
Edibility
Rarely eaten

Description

The dogtooth characin is a dogtooth characin (Cynodontidae) from South America. The species has a silvery, laterally compressed body with an upturned mouth and two conspicuously long canine teeth in the lower jaw. It lives in rivers and floodplains, often in the open water column. It is a pronounced predator that preys mainly on fishes and uses its long fangs to grip prey. The species is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Dogtooth characin?

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

Where does the Dogtooth characin live?

The Dogtooth characin lives in fresh water and is mostly found around open water.

How big does the Dogtooth characin get?

The Dogtooth characin grows to a maximum of about 30 cm.

Is the Dogtooth characin dangerous to humans?

No, the Dogtooth characin is harmless to humans.

Is the Dogtooth characin edible?

The Dogtooth characin is rarely eaten.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Kleine hondstandzalm sourced
English name
Dogtooth characin sourced
Scientific name
Cynodon meionactis
Family
Cynodontidae

Appearance

Size class
Medium verified
Max length (cm)
30.0 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
Two separate inferred
Dorsal spines
No sourced

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Freshwater sourced
Substrate
Open water sourced
Origin
Native sourced

Behaviour & biology

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

For anglers

Edibility
Rarely eaten sourced
Fishing method
Sportvissen met kunstaas of (dood/levend) aasvis door te trollen, te werpen of drijvend te vissen in open water. 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 Cynodon

More from the family Cynodontidae

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