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Bigeye moenkhausia (Moenkhausia megalops) — Characidae

Bigeye moenkhausia

Moenkhausia megalops
Family: Characidae

The Bigeye moenkhausia (Moenkhausia megalops) is a freshwater fish of the family Characidae that grows up to 5 cm.

Length
5 cm
Water
Freshwater
Diet
Omnivore
Behaviour
Schooling
Activity
Diurnal
Body shape
Flat / disc-shaped
Substrate
Mixed bottom
Danger
Harmless

Description

The Bigeye moenkhausia is a small characin (Characidae) from fresh water of the Amazon and Orinoco basins and the Guianas. The species grows to about 5 cm and has a slender to fairly deep, silvery body. It has conspicuously large eyes and a spot on the tail base. As a schooling fish it swims in clear streams and rivers and eats small insects, larvae and plant material. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Bigeye moenkhausia?

The Bigeye moenkhausia has a flattened, disc-shaped body and is mainly silver-grey.

Where does the Bigeye moenkhausia live?

The Bigeye moenkhausia lives in fresh water and is mostly found around mixed bottom.

How big does the Bigeye moenkhausia get?

The Bigeye moenkhausia grows to a maximum of about 5 cm.

Is the Bigeye moenkhausia dangerous to humans?

No, the Bigeye moenkhausia is harmless to humans.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Grootoog-tetra sourced
English name
Bigeye moenkhausia sourced
Scientific name
Moenkhausia megalops
Family
Characidae

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
5.0 verified
Body shape
Flat / disc-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
Silver / grey 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 Moenkhausia

More from the family Characidae

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