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Piquava silverside (Odontesthes piquava) — Atherinopsidae

Piquava silverside

Odontesthes piquava

The Piquava silverside (Odontesthes piquava) is a freshwater fish of the family Atherinopsidae that grows up to 26 cm.

Length
26.3 cm
Water
Freshwater
Behaviour
Schooling
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Open water
Danger
Harmless

Description

The Piquava silverside is a silverside (Atherinopsidae) from coastal, estuarine and fresh water of southeastern South America. The species grows to about 25 cm and has a slender, silvery body with a shiny lengthwise stripe along the flank and two separate dorsal fins. As a social schooling fish it swims in open water and filters plankton and small crustaceans. It is locally a valued food fish. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Piquava silverside?

The Piquava silverside has an elongate, eel-like body and is mainly silver-grey.

Where does the Piquava silverside live?

The Piquava silverside lives in fresh water and is mostly found around open water.

How big does the Piquava silverside get?

The Piquava silverside grows to a maximum of about 26 cm.

Is the Piquava silverside dangerous to humans?

No, the Piquava silverside is harmless to humans.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Piquava-koornaarvis sourced
English name
Piquava silverside sourced
Scientific name
Odontesthes piquava
Family
Atherinopsidae

Appearance

Size class
Medium verified
Max length (cm)
26.3 verified
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like) sourced
Dominant colour
Silver / grey sourced
Tail shape
Forked inferred
Dorsal fins
Two separate sourced

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Freshwater sourced
Substrate
Open water sourced
Origin
Native inferred

Behaviour & biology

Social behaviour
Schooling sourced
Territorial
No inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes inferred
Sexual dimorphism
No inferred

For anglers

Fishing method
Te vangen met natuurlijk aas of kunstaas, afgestemd op de grootte en het leefgebied van de soort. 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 Odontesthes

More from the family Atherinopsidae

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