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Narrow hatchetfish (Triportheus angulatus) — Triportheidae

Narrow hatchetfish

Triportheus angulatus
Family: Triportheidae
LC · Least Concern

The Narrow hatchetfish (Triportheus angulatus) is a freshwater fish of the family Triportheidae that grows up to 24 cm.

Length
23.8 cm
Water
Freshwater
Depth
0.0–5.0 m
Diet
Omnivore
Behaviour
Large groups
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped
Substrate
Mixed bottom
Danger
Harmless
Edibility
Commonly eaten

Description

The narrow hatchetfish is a characin of the family Triportheidae from the Amazon basin in South America. The species has a laterally compressed, silvery body with a strongly keeled, forward-projecting chest and large pectoral fins, characteristic of the hatchet characins. It lives in schools over sandy bottoms of rivers and is mainly active by day. As an omnivore it feeds on fruits and seeds, insects and small zooplankton. It is a local food fish and is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Narrow hatchetfish?

The Narrow hatchetfish has a torpedo-shaped body, is mainly silver-grey and shows a plain pattern.

Where does the Narrow hatchetfish live?

The Narrow hatchetfish lives in fresh water and is mostly found around mixed bottom.

How big does the Narrow hatchetfish get?

The Narrow hatchetfish grows to a maximum of about 24 cm. On average the species is around 14 cm.

Is the Narrow hatchetfish dangerous to humans?

No, the Narrow hatchetfish is harmless to humans.

Is the Narrow hatchetfish edible?

Yes, the Narrow hatchetfish is commonly eaten.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Hoekige bijlbuikzalm sourced
English name
Narrow hatchetfish sourced
Scientific name
Triportheus angulatus
Family
Triportheidae

Appearance

Size class
Medium verified
Max length (cm)
23.8 verified
Average length (cm)
14.0 verified
Body shape
Torpedo-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
Two separate inferred
Dorsal spines
No sourced

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Freshwater sourced
Substrate
Mixed bottom sourced
Min depth (m)
0.0 verified
Max depth (m)
5.0 verified
Origin
Native sourced

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Omnivore sourced
Social behaviour
Large groups inferred
Territorial
No inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes sourced
Sexual dimorphism
No inferred

For anglers

Edibility
Commonly eaten sourced
Fishing method
Bodemvissen met natuurlijk aas (worm, garnaal of vis) op of vlak boven de bodem. inferred
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless sourced

Status & sources

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

Same genus Triportheus

More from the family Triportheidae

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