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Dwarf tetra (Xenurobrycon macropus) — Characidae

Dwarf tetra

Xenurobrycon macropus
Family: Characidae

The Dwarf tetra (Xenurobrycon macropus) is a freshwater fish of the family Characidae that grows up to 2 cm.

Length
2 cm
Water
Freshwater
Diet
Omnivore
Behaviour
Schooling
Activity
Diurnal
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Mixed bottom
Danger
Harmless

Description

The dwarf tetra is one of the smallest South American characins (Characidae), from fresh water of the Paraguay and Amazon basins. The species grows to only about 2 cm and has a slender, translucent, silvery body; males have a finely built tail base used in courtship. As a schooling fish it swims in quiet, plant-rich waters and snaps at microscopic zooplankton. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Dwarf tetra?

The Dwarf tetra has an elongate, eel-like body and is mainly silver-grey.

Where does the Dwarf tetra live?

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

How big does the Dwarf tetra get?

The Dwarf tetra grows to a maximum of about 2 cm.

Is the Dwarf tetra dangerous to humans?

No, the Dwarf tetra is harmless to humans.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Dwerg-glaszalmpje sourced
English name
Dwarf tetra sourced
Scientific name
Xenurobrycon macropus
Family
Characidae

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
2.0 verified
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like) 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

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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