About Characins
A predominantly Neotropical order including tetras, piranhas, and the electric eel.
Characiformes are mostly small to medium freshwater fishes of the Americas and Africa, with about 2,000+ species in families such as Characidae (tetras, piranhas), Alestidae (African tetras), and Gymnotidae (knifefishes; the electric eel is a gymnotid).
Morphology. Typically toothed, often with a small adipose fin between dorsal and caudal fins. Many possess a distinctive jaw and tooth morphology; some lineages evolved powerful electric organs (gymnotids).
Habitat & distribution. Rivers, streams, and flooded forests of South America (especially the Amazon) and African freshwater systems.
Ecology & human use. Highly diverse ecologically — from tiny schooling tetras to predatory piranhas. Tetras and pencilfishes dominate the freshwater aquarium trade; several are food fishes.
