Home · Characidae · Roeboides myersii
Roeboides myersii — Characidae

Roeboides myersii

Roeboides myersii
Family: Characidae
LC · Least Concern

The Roeboides myersii is a freshwater fish of the family Characidae that grows up to 22 cm.

Length
22 cm
Water
Freshwater
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Small groups
Activity
Diurnal
Body shape
Flat / disc-shaped
Substrate
Mixed bottom
Danger
Harmless
Range
South America, in the Amazon and Orinoco basins.
Edibility
Rarely eaten

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Description

Myers' characin is a characin of the family Characidae from South America, occurring in the Amazon and Orinoco basins. The species reaches about 22 cm and has a deep, compressed, semi-transparent body with a silvery sheen. Like its relatives it bears teeth that partly protrude outside the mouth and is a scale-eater: with a rapid thrust of the head it knocks scales off other fishes. In addition it eats small invertebrates. The species is occasionally eaten locally. Through its unusual feeding habits it is a remarkable presence among the characins.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Roeboides myersii?

The Roeboides myersii has a flattened, disc-shaped body, is mainly silver-grey and shows a plain pattern. Larger scale-eater with external teeth; strikes prey fishes with its head to knock scales loose.

Where does the Roeboides myersii live?

The Roeboides myersii lives in fresh water and is mostly found around mixed bottom. South America, in the Amazon and Orinoco basins.

How big does the Roeboides myersii get?

The Roeboides myersii grows to a maximum of about 22 cm. On average the species is around 13 cm.

Is the Roeboides myersii dangerous to humans?

No, the Roeboides myersii is harmless to humans. None required: this species is harmless to humans.

Is the Roeboides myersii edible?

The Roeboides myersii is rarely eaten.

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All data

Identification

English name
Roeboides myersii sourced
Scientific name
Roeboides myersii
Family
Characidae

Appearance

Size class
Medium verified
Max length (cm)
22.0 verified
Average length (cm)
13.0 verified
Body shape
Flat / disc-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
Silver / grey inferred
Pattern
Plain inferred
Tail shape
Forked inferred
Mouth position
Superior (upward) inferred
Lips
Thin inferred
Barbels
No sourced
Dorsal fins
One continuous inferred
Dorsal spines
No sourced

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Freshwater sourced
Substrate
Mixed bottom sourced
Natural range
South America, in the Amazon and Orinoco basins. inferred
Origin
Native sourced

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore sourced
Diet (detail)
Scales of other fishes (lepidophagy) and small invertebrates sourced
Social behaviour
Small groups inferred
Territorial
No inferred
Activity
Diurnal inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes sourced
Sexual dimorphism
No inferred
Seasonality
Present year-round in its habitat; no pronounced seasonality known. inferred
Special features
Larger scale-eater with external teeth; strikes prey fishes with its head to knock scales loose. sourced

For anglers

Edibility
Rarely eaten sourced
Fishing method
Bottom fishing with natural bait (worm, shrimp or fish) on or just above the seabed. inferred
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless sourced
First aid
None required: this species is harmless to humans. sourced

Status & sources

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

Same genus Roeboides

More from the family Characidae

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