Characins - Part 1 of 9
A Large and Ancient Family
A Large and Ancient Family
At over 1,400 species strong and growing in numbers, the Characin family is one of the most prolific as well as one of the oldest families of freshwater fish. Found on both the American and African continents, it's considered by some scientists proof that Africa and America were once a single continent where the fish originally developed before the land mass split into two. Further supporting the theory of a continental split is the fact that Characins are not found in Europe, Asia, or Australia. The American branch of the family numbers over one thousand species, making it one of the largest families of freshwater fish in South America. The African species number several hundred, and are less often seen in home aquaria.
Characins come in all shapes and sizes, from the slender brightly colored neon tetra, to the large flat bodied silver dollar, to the burly piranha. Almost all Characins sport an extra "adipose" fin on the top of their body near the tail.
Although they lack barbels, they do have teeth. Those teeth are put to good use eating whatever fate serves up when dinnertime rolls around. Insects, bits of vegetable matter or fruits, and even live fish, are all readily accepted by Characins. Most Characins like to school, and have a particularly acute sense of hearing, due to a special group of bones between the swim bladder and the inner ear, known as the Weberian Apparatus. These characteristics help them avoid predators while at the same time making them the first group of fish to find food that falls into the water. It's little wonder they have survived and flourished for so long.
Parenting is not a strong suit for characins, who generally scatter their eggs on the river or lake bottom and leave them to their own devices. If the eggs are scattered among dense vegetation, most of the fry will be sufficiently protected from predators to survive. Generally speaking the males of the species have longer anal and dorsal fins. Females are often less highly colored than the males, and have plumper bodies.
Characins do best in soft, slightly acid water at 76-78 degrees, with subdued lighting, backgrounds and gravel (so put that red stuff back on the shelf). Provide ample open space to swim, well oxygenated water, and good water currents to replicate their natural habitats. Larger Characins such as the Silver Dollar, will live as much as ten years if well cared for. Smaller Characins such as the neon tetra, will live for about five years in a good environment.
In the following parts of this series I'll profile sub-orders of the Characin family, and post additional photos from my collection. If you have a request for a specific fish, please email me and I'll do my best to get one for you.
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Characin Photos |
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Blind Cave Fish Bloodfin Tetra Columbian Tetra Congo Tetra Emperor Tetra Lemon Tetra Pacu Silver Dollar |
* Art and photos are the property of Shirlie Sharpe. If you use them please write for permission.
