Home · Characidae · Dwarf flag tetra
Dwarf flag tetra (Hyphessobrycon elachys) — Characidae

Dwarf flag tetra

Hyphessobrycon elachys
Family: Characidae

The Dwarf flag tetra (Hyphessobrycon elachys) is a freshwater fish of the family Characidae that grows up to 2 cm.

Length
2 cm
Water
Freshwater
Diet
Omnivore
Behaviour
Schooling
Activity
Diurnal
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped
Substrate
Mixed bottom
Danger
Harmless

Description

The dwarf flag tetra is one of the smallest characins (Characidae) from fresh water of the Paraguay-Parana basin in South America. The species stays about 2 cm long and has a slender, translucent, yellowish body with a dark tinge on the fins. It lives in schools among water plants of slow streams and pools and eats very small zooplankton and larvae. The fish is harmless to humans and appears in the aquarium trade.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Dwarf flag tetra?

The Dwarf flag tetra has a torpedo-shaped body and is mainly yellow-gold.

Where does the Dwarf flag tetra live?

The Dwarf flag tetra lives in fresh water and is mostly found around mixed bottom.

How big does the Dwarf flag tetra get?

The Dwarf flag tetra grows to a maximum of about 2 cm.

Is the Dwarf flag tetra dangerous to humans?

No, the Dwarf flag tetra is harmless to humans.

Download Fin's Fish Guide

Identify fish in seconds, log your catches and dives. Join the TestFlight beta.

Get the beta →

All data

Identification

Dutch name
Dwerg-vlagtetra sourced
English name
Dwarf flag tetra sourced
Scientific name
Hyphessobrycon elachys
Family
Characidae

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
2.0 verified
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
Yellow / gold sourced
Tail shape
Forked inferred

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Freshwater sourced
Substrate
Mixed bottom 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 Hyphessobrycon

More from the family Characidae

Download Fin's Fish Guide

Identify fish in seconds, log your catches and dives. Join the TestFlight beta.

Get the beta →