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Bandtail tetra (Moenkhausia dichroura) — Characidae

Bandtail tetra

Moenkhausia dichroura
Family: Characidae
LC · Least Concern

The Bandtail tetra (Moenkhausia dichroura) is a freshwater fish of the family Characidae that grows up to 10 cm.

Length
10 cm
Water
Freshwater
Diet
Omnivore
Behaviour
Large groups
Activity
Diurnal
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped
Substrate
Mixed bottom
Danger
Harmless
Edibility
Rarely eaten

Description

The twocolour-tail tetra is a characin (Characidae) from northern and central South America. The species is small and has a silvery body with a conspicuously marked tail, to which the name refers. It lives in schools in rivers, streams and floodplains. As an omnivore it feeds on small zooplankton, insects and larvae, algae and plant matter. It is a prey fish for larger fishes. The species is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Bandtail tetra?

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

Where does the Bandtail tetra live?

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

How big does the Bandtail tetra get?

The Bandtail tetra grows to a maximum of about 10 cm.

Is the Bandtail tetra dangerous to humans?

No, the Bandtail tetra is harmless to humans.

Is the Bandtail tetra edible?

The Bandtail tetra is rarely eaten.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Tweekleurstaart-tetra sourced
English name
Bandtail tetra verified
Scientific name
Moenkhausia dichroura
Family
Characidae
Other names
Bandtail tetra; Spottail tetra; Spot-tailed moenkhausia verified

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
10.0 verified
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
Silver / grey inferred
Pattern
Plain inferred
Tail shape
Forked inferred
Mouth position
Terminal inferred
Lips
Thin inferred
Barbels
No sourced
Dorsal fins
Two separate inferred
Dorsal spines
No sourced

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Freshwater sourced
Substrate
Mixed bottom sourced
Origin
Native sourced

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Omnivore sourced
Social behaviour
Large groups inferred
Territorial
No inferred
Activity
Diurnal inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes sourced
Sexual dimorphism
No inferred

For anglers

Edibility
Rarely eaten sourced
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 sourced

Status & sources

Sources
FishBase via GBIF (DwC-A), CC-BY-NC 4.0

Same genus Moenkhausia

More from the family Characidae

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