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Bucktooth tetra (Exodon paradoxus) — Characidae

Bucktooth tetra

Exodon paradoxus
Family: Characidae

The Bucktooth tetra (Exodon paradoxus) is a freshwater fish of the family Characidae that grows up to 8 cm.

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

Description

The bucktooth tetra is a fierce characin (Characidae) from fresh water of the Amazon and Rio Branco region in South America. The species grows to about 8 cm and has an elongate, silvery body with two dark spots and yellow and red accents. It is a scale-eater: in schools it attacks other fish to tear off their scales, besides eating insects and small invertebrates. To humans it is harmless.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Bucktooth tetra?

The Bucktooth tetra has a torpedo-shaped body, is mainly silver-grey and shows a spots pattern.

Where does the Bucktooth tetra live?

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

How big does the Bucktooth tetra get?

The Bucktooth tetra grows to a maximum of about 8 cm.

Is the Bucktooth tetra dangerous to humans?

No, the Bucktooth tetra is harmless to humans.

Is the Bucktooth tetra edible?

Yes, the Bucktooth tetra is commonly eaten.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Bokstand-tetra sourced
English name
Bucktooth tetra sourced
Scientific name
Exodon paradoxus
Family
Characidae
Other names
Bucktooth tetra; Bucktoothed tetra verified

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
7.5 verified
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
Silver / grey sourced
Pattern
Spots 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

Edibility
Commonly eaten inferred
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

More from the family Characidae

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