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Pink tetra (Serrapinnus heterodon) — Characidae

Pink tetra

Serrapinnus heterodon
Family: Characidae

The Pink tetra (Serrapinnus heterodon) is a freshwater fish of the family Characidae that grows up to 8 cm.

Length
8.3 cm
Water
Freshwater
Diet
Omnivore
Behaviour
Schooling
Activity
Diurnal
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Open water
Danger
Harmless

Description

The pink tetra is a small characin (Characidae) from fresh water of the Paraguay-Parana basin in South America. The species grows to about 8 cm and has a slender, silvery body with a pink to orangeish tinge and a dark tail-base spot; males have an enlarged anal fin. It lives in schools in slow, plant-rich waters and eats small zooplankton, larvae and plant material. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Pink tetra?

The Pink tetra has an elongate, eel-like body and is mainly pink-purple.

Where does the Pink tetra live?

The Pink tetra lives in fresh water and is mostly found around open water.

How big does the Pink tetra get?

The Pink tetra grows to a maximum of about 8 cm.

Is the Pink tetra dangerous to humans?

No, the Pink tetra is harmless to humans.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Roze zeiltetra sourced
English name
Pink tetra sourced
Scientific name
Serrapinnus heterodon
Family
Characidae

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
8.3 verified
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like) sourced
Dominant colour
Pink / purple sourced
Tail shape
Forked inferred

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Freshwater sourced
Substrate
Open water 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
Yes sourced

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 Serrapinnus

More from the family Characidae

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