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Barred glass tetra (Phenagoniates macrolepis) — Characidae

Barred glass tetra

Phenagoniates macrolepis
Family: Characidae

The Barred glass tetra (Phenagoniates macrolepis) is a freshwater fish of the family Characidae that grows up to 5 cm.

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

Description

The barred glass tetra is a small characin (Characidae) from fresh water of Panama and western Colombia in Central and South America. The species grows to about 5 cm and has a slender, partly translucent, silvery body with a few faint crossbars and large scales. As a schooling fish it swims in clear streams and rivers and eats small insects, larvae and plankton. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Barred glass tetra?

The Barred glass tetra has a torpedo-shaped body and is mainly silver-grey.

Where does the Barred glass tetra live?

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

How big does the Barred glass tetra get?

The Barred glass tetra grows to a maximum of about 5 cm.

Is the Barred glass tetra dangerous to humans?

No, the Barred glass tetra is harmless to humans.

Is the Barred glass tetra edible?

Yes, the Barred glass tetra is commonly eaten.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Geband glas-tetra sourced
English name
Barred glass tetra sourced
Scientific name
Phenagoniates macrolepis
Family
Characidae

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
4.5 verified
Body shape
Torpedo-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

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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