Home · Characidae · Guyana fin-eater tetra
Guyana fin-eater tetra (Roeboexodon guyanensis) — Characidae

Guyana fin-eater tetra

Roeboexodon guyanensis
Family: Characidae
LC · Least Concern

The Guyana fin-eater tetra (Roeboexodon guyanensis) is a freshwater fish of the family Characidae that grows up to 12 cm.

Length
12 cm
Water
Freshwater
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Small groups
Activity
Diurnal
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Open water
Danger
Harmless
Edibility
Not eaten

Description

The Guyana fin-eater tetra is a South American characin of the family Characidae from the Guianas. The species grows to about 12 cm and has a slender, silvery body. It is relatively rare and occurs in creeks with fast-flowing water over a sandy bottom. Notable is its dentition: the particular form of its teeth is adapted to a diet in which the fish can nip pieces from the fins and scales of other fishes, a form of scale- and fin-eating. As a fast hunter it often stays in flowing water. Owing to its modest size the species is of limited fishery interest. It is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Guyana fin-eater tetra?

The Guyana fin-eater tetra has an elongate, eel-like body, is mainly silver-grey and shows a plain pattern.

Where does the Guyana fin-eater tetra live?

The Guyana fin-eater tetra lives in fresh water and is mostly found around open water.

How big does the Guyana fin-eater tetra get?

The Guyana fin-eater tetra grows to a maximum of about 12 cm.

Is the Guyana fin-eater tetra dangerous to humans?

No, the Guyana fin-eater tetra is harmless to humans.

Is the Guyana fin-eater tetra edible?

The Guyana fin-eater tetra is not usually eaten.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Guyana-vinbijter sourced
English name
Guyana fin-eater tetra sourced
Scientific name
Roeboexodon guyanensis
Family
Characidae

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
12.0 verified
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like) 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
One continuous inferred
Dorsal spines
No sourced

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Freshwater sourced
Substrate
Open water sourced
Origin
Native sourced

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore sourced
Social behaviour
Small groups inferred
Territorial
No inferred
Activity
Diurnal inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes sourced
Sexual dimorphism
No inferred

For anglers

Edibility
Not eaten sourced
Fishing method
Geen doelsoort voor de hengelsport; hooguit incidentele vangst of bruikbaar als aasvisje. inferred
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless sourced

Status & sources

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

More from the family Characidae

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