Characidae, the characids or characins is a

family Family (from la, familia) is a Social group, group of people related either by consanguinity (by recognized birth) or Affinity (law), affinity (by marriage or other relationship). The purpose of the family is to maintain the well-being of its ...

freshwater Fresh water or freshwater is any naturally occurring liquid or frozen water containing low concentrations of dissolved salts and other total dissolved solids. Although the term specifically excludes seawater and brackish water, it does include ...

subtropical The subtropical zones or subtropics are geographical zone, geographical and Köppen climate classification, climate zones to the Northern Hemisphere, north and Southern Hemisphere, south of the tropics. Geographically part of the Geographical z ...

and

tropical The tropics are the regions of Earth surrounding the Equator. They are defined in latitude by the Tropic of Cancer in the Northern Hemisphere at N and the Tropic of Capricorn in the Southern Hemisphere at S. The tropics are also referred to ...

fish Fish are aquatic, craniate, gill-bearing animals that lack limbs with digits. Included in this definition are the living hagfish, lampreys, and cartilaginous and bony fish as well as various extinct related groups. Approximately 95% of li ...

, belonging to the order

Characiformes Characiformes is an order of ray-finned fish, comprising the characins and their allies. Grouped in 18 recognized families, more than 2000 different species are described, including the well-known piranha and tetras.; Buckup P.A.: "Relationshi ...

. The name "characins" is the historical one, but scientists today tend to prefer "characids" to reflect their status as a by and large

monophyletic In cladistics for a group of organisms, monophyly is the condition of being a clade—that is, a group of taxa composed only of a common ancestor (or more precisely an ancestral population) and all of its lineal descendants. Monophyletic gro ...

group at family rank. To arrive there, this family has undergone much systematic and taxonomic change. Among those fishes that remain in the Characidae for the time being are the

tetra Terrestrial Trunked Radio (TETRA; formerly known as Trans-European Trunked Radio), a European standard for a trunked radio system, is a professional mobile radio and two-way transceiver specification. TETRA was specifically designed for use by go ...

s, comprising the very similar genera ''

Hemigrammus ''Hemigrammus'' is a genus of freshwater fish in the family Characidae native to South America (including Trinidad) and commonly seen in the aquarium trade. These are medium-small tetras where the largest species reach up to around . Speci ...

'' and ''

Hyphessobrycon ''Hyphessobrycon'' is a genus of freshwater fish in the family (biology), family Characidae. These species are among the fishes known as tetras. The genus is distributed in the Neotropical realm from southern Mexico to Río de la Plata in Argenti ...

'', as well as a few related forms such as the

cave A cave or cavern is a natural void in the ground, specifically a space large enough for a human to enter. Caves often form by the weathering of rock and often extend deep underground. The word ''cave'' can refer to smaller openings such as sea ...

and

neon Neon is a chemical element with the symbol Ne and atomic number 10. It is a noble gas. Neon is a colorless, odorless, inert monatomic gas under standard conditions, with about two-thirds the density of air. It was discovered (along with krypton ...

tetras. Fish of this family are important as food and also include popular

aquarium An aquarium (plural: ''aquariums'' or ''aquaria'') is a vivarium of any size having at least one transparent side in which aquatic plants or animals are kept and displayed. Fishkeepers use aquaria to keep fish, invertebrates, amphibians, aq ...

fish species. These fish vary in length, though many are less than . One of the smallest species, ''Hyphessobrycon roseus'', grows to a maximum length of 1.9 cm. These fish inhabit a wide range and a variety of habitats. They originate in the

Americas The Americas, which are sometimes collectively called America, are a landmass comprising the totality of North and South America. The Americas make up most of the land in Earth's Western Hemisphere and comprise the New World. Along with th ...

, ranging from southwestern

Texas Texas (, ; Spanish language, Spanish: ''Texas'', ''Tejas'') is a state in the South Central United States, South Central region of the United States. At 268,596 square miles (695,662 km2), and with more than 29.1 million residents in 2 ...

and

Mexico Mexico (Spanish: México), officially the United Mexican States, is a country in the southern portion of North America. It is bordered to the north by the United States; to the south and west by the Pacific Ocean; to the southeast by Guatema ...

through

Central Central is an adjective usually referring to being in the center of some place or (mathematical) object. Central may also refer to: Directions and generalised locations * Central Africa, a region in the centre of Africa continent, also known as ...

and

South America South America is a continent entirely in the Western Hemisphere and mostly in the Southern Hemisphere, with a relatively small portion in the Northern Hemisphere at the northern tip of the continent. It can also be described as the southe ...

.Nelson (2006) Many of these fish come from rivers, but, for example, the

blind cave tetra The Mexican tetra (''Astyanax mexicanus''), also known as the blind cave fish, blind cave characin, and blind cave tetra, is a freshwater fish of the family Characidae of the order Characiformes. The type species of its genus, it is native to th ...

even inhabits

Systematics

This family has undergone a large amount of systematic and

taxonomic Taxonomy is the practice and science of categorization or classification. A taxonomy (or taxonomical classification) is a scheme of classification, especially a hierarchical classification, in which things are organized into groups or types. ...

change. More recent revision has moved many former members of the family into their own related but distinct families – the pencilfishes of the genus '' Nannostomus'' are a typical example, having now been moved into the Lebiasinidae, the assorted predatory species belonging to ''

Hoplias ''Hoplias'' is a genus of fish in the family Erythrinidae found in Central and South America. Species There are currently 13 recognized species in this genus: * '' Hoplias aimara'' (Valenciennes, 1847) * '' Hoplias australis'' Oyakawa & Mat ...

'' and ''

Hoplerythrinus ''Hoplerythrinus'' is a genus of trahiras found in Central and South America. The currently described species in this genus are: * '' Hoplerythrinus cinereus'' ( T. N. Gill, 1858) * '' Hoplerythrinus gronovii'' (Valenciennes Valenciennes ( ...

'' have now been moved into the

Erythrinidae The Erythrinidae are a family of fishes found in rivers and other freshwater habitats from Costa Rica south as far as Argentina Argentina (), officially the Argentine Republic ( es, link=no, República Argentina), is a country in the s ...

, and the sabre-toothed fishes of the genus ''

Hydrolycus ''Hydrolycus'' is a genus of large dogtooth characins from tropical South America, where found in the Amazon basin, Amazon and Orinoco basins, as well as rivers of the Guianas. The genus includes the largest dogtooth characins, reaching up to in ...

'' have been moved into the

Cynodontidae Cynodontidae, also known as dogtooth characins or vampire tetras, are a family of predatory, characiform freshwater fishes from South America. This group is not very diverse, and includes only five genera and 14 species. Most of what is known ab ...

. The former subfamily Alestiinae was promoted to family level (

Alestiidae African tetras (family Alestidae, formerly spelled Alestiidae) are a group of characiform fish exclusively found in Africa. This family contains about 18 genera and 119 species. Among the best known members are the Congo tetra, and African tigerf ...

) and the subfamilies Crenuchinae and Characidiinae were moved to the family

Crenuchidae The Crenuchidae, South American darters, are a family of freshwater fish of the order Characiformes. The 12 genera include about 74 species, though several species are undescribed. These fish are relatively small (usually under in standard le ...

Other fish families that were formerly classified as members of the Characidae, but which were moved into separate families of their own during recent taxonomic revisions (after 1994) include

Acestrorhynchidae ''Acestrorhynchus'' ("needle jaw" ) is a genus of 14 species of characiform fish found only in fresh water in South America, the sole genus in the family Acestrorhynchidae. Their greatest diversity is in the Orinoco and Amazon basins. These fish ...

Anostomidae The Anostomidae are a family of ray-finned fishes that belong to the order Characiformes. Closely related to the Chilodontidae and formerly included with them, the Anostomidae contain about 150 described species. Commonly known as anostomids, t ...

, Chilodontidae,

Citharinidae The Citharinidae, the lutefishes, are a small family of characiform fish. They are freshwater fish native to Africa, and are sufficiently abundant to be significant food fishes. They are deep-bodied, silvery fish, measuring up to in length and ...

Ctenoluciidae The Ctenoluciidae (meaning "comb light family"), also known as pike-characins, are a small family of freshwater fishes from Panama and South America. They have elongated, pike-like bodies, and several sharp and conical teeth. They are relativel ...

Curimatidae The Curimatidae, toothless characins, are a family of freshwater fishes, of the order Characiformes. They originate from southern Costa Rica to northern Argentina. The family has around 105 species, many of them frequently exploited for human con ...

Distichodontidae The Distichodontidae are a family of African freshwater fishes of the order Characiformes. Two evolutionary grades are found in this family; micropredators (predators of very small organisms like aquatic insect larvae) and herbivores have a nonp ...

Gasteropelecidae The freshwater hatchetfish are a family, Gasteropelecidae, of ray-finned fish from South and Central America. The common hatchetfish is the most popular member among fish keeping hobbyists. The family includes three genera: '' Carnegiella'' (f ...

Hemiodontidae The Hemiodontidae are a small family of freshwater characins found in northern South America, south to the Paraná-Paraguay Basin. The larger species are popular food fish. Hemiodontids have a streamlined body shape; many are fast-swimming, and ...

Hepsetidae ''Hepsetus'' is a genus of African fishes, the African pikes or African pike characins, in the order Characiformes. It is the sole genus in the family Hepsetidae. It was long believed that only a single widespread species existed, ''H. odoe'', b ...

Parodontidae The Parodontidae are a family of fresh water fish of the order Characiformes. The three genera include about 32 species, though several are undescribed. These fish are generally benthic and live in mountain streams of eastern Panama and South Am ...

Prochilodontidae The Prochilodontidae, or flannel-mouthed characins, are a small family of freshwater fishes found primarily in the northern half of South America, south to Paraguay and northern Argentina. This family is closely related to the Curimatidae, and in ...

Serrasalmidae The Serrasalmidae (serrasalmids) are a family of characiform fishes, recently elevated to family status. It includes more than 90 species. The name means "serrated salmon family", which refers to the serrated keel running along the belly of these ...

, and

Triportheidae Triportheidae is a family of characiform Characiformes is an order of ray-finned fish, comprising the characins and their allies. Grouped in 18 recognized families, more than 2000 different species are described, including the well-known pi ...

.Oliveira, C., Avelino, G.S., Abe, K.T., Mariguela, T.C., Benine, R.C., Orti, G., Vari, R.P., & Correa e Castro, R.M. (2011)
Phylogenetic relationships within the speciose family Characidae (Teleostei: Ostariophysi: Characiformes) based on multilocus analysis and extensive ingroup sampling.
''BMC Evolutionary Biology, 11: 275. doi: 10.1186/1471-2148-11-275'' The larger

piranha A piranha or piraña (, , or ; or , ) is one of a number of freshwater fish in the family Serrasalmidae, or the subfamily Serrasalminae within the tetra family, Characidae in order Characiformes. These fish inhabit South American rivers, ...

s were originally classified as belonging to the Characidae, but various revisions place them in their own related family, the

. This reassignment has yet to enjoy universal acceptance, but is gaining in popularity among taxonomists working with these fishes. Given the current state of flux of the Characidae, a number of other changes will doubtless take place, reassigning once-familiar species to other families. Indeed, the entire

phylogeny A phylogenetic tree (also phylogeny or evolutionary tree Felsenstein J. (2004). ''Inferring Phylogenies'' Sinauer Associates: Sunderland, MA.) is a branching diagram or a tree showing the evolutionary relationships among various biological spec ...

of the

Ostariophysi Ostariophysi is the second-largest superorder of fish. Members of this superorder are called ostariophysians. This diverse group contains 10,758 species, about 28% of known fish species in the world and 68% of freshwater species, and are present ...

– fishes possessing a

Weberian apparatus The Weberian apparatus is an anatomical structure that connects the swim bladder to the auditory system in fishes belonging to the superorder Ostariophysi. When it is fully developed in adult fish, the elements of the apparatus are sometimes col ...

– has yet to be settled conclusively. Until that phylogeny is settled, the opportunity for yet more upheavals within the taxonomy of the characoid fishes is considerable.

Classification

Phylogeny

Hyphessobrycon pyrrhonotus thomnight 001

Taxonomy

The subfamilies and tribes currently recognized by most if not all authors, and their respective genera, are:

Subfamily ''Spintherobolus'' clade * ''

Amazonspinther ''Amazonspinther dalmata'' is a species of characin endemic to Brazil, where it is found in the Rio Purus and Rio Madeira basins. It is the only member of its genus Genus ( plural genera ) is a taxonomic rank used in the biological classif ...

'' * ''

Spintherobolus ''Spintherobolus'' is a genus of characins that are endemism, endemic to river basins in South Region, Brazil, southern and southeastern Brazil from Santa Catarina (state), Santa Catarina to Rio de Janeiro (state), Rio de Janeiro. All four specie ...

'' Subfamily '' Stethaprioninae'' * Tribe

Rhoadsiini Characidae, the characids or characins is a family of freshwater subtropical and tropical fish, belonging to the order Characiformes. The name "characins" is the historical one, but scientists today tend to prefer "characids" to reflect their sta ...

'Astyanax'' clade** ''

Astyanacinus ''Astyanacinus'' is a genus of characins from South America. The currently recognized species in this genus are: * ''Astyanacinus moorii'' (George Albert Boulenger, Boulenger, 1892) * ''Astyanacinus multidens'' Nathan Everett Pearson, N. E. Pears ...

'' ** ''

Astyanax In Greek mythology, Astyanax (; grc, Ἀστυάναξ ''Astyánax'', "lord of the city") was the son of Hector, the crown prince of Troy, and his wife, Princess Andromache of Cilician Thebe."Astyanax". ''Oxford Classical Dictionary''. Oxford, 1 ...

'' ** '' Carlana'' ** '' Ctenobrycon'' ** '' Inpaichthys'' ** ''

Nematobrycon ''Nematobrycon'' is a genus of characins endemic Endemism is the state of a species being found in a single defined geographic location, such as an island, state, nation, country or other defined zone; organisms that are indigenous to a pl ...

'' ** '' Oligosarcus'' ** '' Parastremma'' ** '' Psellogrammus'' ** '' Rhoadsia'' * Tribe

Stygichthyini Characidae, the characids or characins is a family of freshwater subtropical and tropical fish, belonging to the order Characiformes. The name "characins" is the historical one, but scientists today tend to prefer "characids" to reflect their sta ...

'Jupiaba'' clade** '' Coptobrycon'' ** ''

Deuterodon ''Deuterodon'' is a genus of characins from river basins in South Region, Brazil, southern and southeastern Brazil (Rio Grande do Sul to Espírito Santo), with a single species of uncertain Taxonomy (biology), taxonomic status, ''D. potaroensis'' ...

'' ** '' Erythrocharax''Netto-Ferreira, A.L., Birindelli, J.L.O., de Sousa, L.M., Mariguela, T.C. & Oliveira, C. (2013)
A New Miniature Characid (Ostariophysi: Characiformes: Characidae), with Phylogenetic Position Inferred from Morphological and Molecular Data.
''PLoS ONE, 8 (1): e52098. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0052098'' ** ''

Jupiaba ''Jupiaba'' is a genus of characins from South America. with 27 currently described species: * ''Jupiaba abramoides'' (Carl H. Eigenmann, C. H. Eigenmann, 1909) * ''Jupiaba acanthogaster'' (C. H. Eigenmann, 1911) * ''Jupiaba anteroides'' (Jacques ...

'' ** '' Macropsobrycon'' ** ''

Myxiops ''Myxiops aphos'' is a species of characin endemic to Brazil, where it is found in the Rio Lençois in Bahia Bahia ( , , ; meaning "bay") is one of the 26 states of Brazil, located in the Northeast Region of the country. It is the fourth ...

'' ** '' Parecbasis'' ** ''

Probolodus ''Probolodus'' is a genus of characin endemic to Brazil Brazil ( pt, Brasil; ), officially the Federative Republic of Brazil (Portuguese: ), is the largest country in both South America and Latin America. At and with over 217 million p ...

'' ** ''

Stygichthys ''Stygichthys typhlops'', the blind tetra or Brazilian blind characid, is a species of fish in the family Characidae and the only member of the genus ''Stygichthys''. It is endemic to caves in northern Minas Gerais, Brazil. Like other cave-adapt ...

'' * Tribe

Pristellini Characidae, the characids or characins is a family of freshwater subtropical and tropical fish, belonging to the order Characiformes. The name "characins" is the historical one, but scientists today tend to prefer "characids" to reflect their sta ...

'Hemigrammus'' clade; Aphyoditini** '' Aphyodite'' ** '' Atopomesus'' ** '' Axelrodia'' ** ''

Brittanichthys ''Brittanichthys'' is a genus of characins endemism, endemic to the Rio Negro (Amazon), Rio Negro basin in South America. The currently described species are: * ''Brittanichthys axelrodi'' Jacques Géry, Géry, 1965 * ''Brittanichthys myersi'' G ...

'' ** ''

Bryconella ''Bryconella pallidifrons'' is a species of characin found in the Amazon River basin of Brazil and Peru , image_flag = Flag of Peru.svg , image_coat = Escudo nacional del Perú.svg , other_symbol = Grea ...

'' ** ''

Hasemania ''Hasemania'' is a genus of characins endemism, endemic to Brazil, where only found in river basins that originate on the Brazilian Highlands, Brazilian Shield, ranging west to the Juruena River, Juruena system, north to the São Francisco River, ...

'' ** ''

Moenkhausia ''Moenkhausia'' is a genus of freshwater fish in the family (biology), family Characidae native to tropical and subtropical South America. These are medium-sized tetras where the largest species only reach around . The diamond tetra and red-eye ...

'' ** '' Nematocharax'' ** ''

Paracheirodon ''Paracheirodon'' is a genus of freshwater fish in the family Characidae of the order Characiformes. The type species is ''P. innesi,'' the well-known neon tetra, and the ''Paracheirodon'' species are among the fishes known as tetras. All spec ...

'' ** '' Parapristella'' ** ''

Petitella ''Petitella georgiae'', the false rummy-nose tetra, is a species of characin found in Amazon Basin in Brazil and Peru. It is a very popular aquarium fish. It is the sole member of its genus, but resembles two species from another genus, ''H ...

'' ** '' Phycocharax''Ohara, W.M., Mirande, J.M. & Lima, F.C.T.d. (2017)
''Phycocharax rasbora'', a new genus and species of Brazilian tetra (Characiformes: Characidae) from Serra do Cachimbo, rio Tapajós basin.
''PLoS ONE, 12 (2): e0170648.'' ** '' Pristella'' ** ''

Thayeria ''Thayeria'' is a genus of tetras from the Amazon Basin, and the Approuague and Maroni Rivers in tropical South America. It includes three species, including the blackline penguinfish, ''T. boehlkei''. Members of this genus, among other chara ...

'' * Tribe Stethaprionini ** '' Brachychalcinus'' ** '' Gymnocorymbus'' ** ''

Orthospinus ''Orthospinus franciscensis'' is a species of characin endemism, endemic to Brazil, where it is found in the São Francisco River basin. It is the only member of its genus. References

* Characidae Monotypic fish genera Fish of the São ...

'' ** ''

Poptella ''Poptella'' is a genus of fish in the characin family found in tropical South America South America is a continent entirely in the Western Hemisphere and mostly in the Southern Hemisphere, with a relatively small portion in the Nor ...

'' ** '' Stethaprion'' ** '' Stichonodon'' * Tribe Gymnocharacini ** ''

Bario Bario is a community of 13 to 16 villages located on the Kelabit Highlands in Miri Division, Sarawak, Malaysia, lying at an altitude of 1000 m (3280 ft) above sea level. It is located close to the Sarawak-Kalimantan border, 178 k ...

'' ** '' Dectobrycon'' ** '' Ectrepopterus'' ** '' Grundulus'' ** '' Gymnocharacinus'' ** '' Gymnotichthys'' ** '' Hollandichthys'' ** '' Pseudochalceus'' ** '' Rachoviscus'' ** '' Schultzites'' * Tribe

Scissorini Characidae, the characids or characins is a family of freshwater subtropical and tropical fish, belonging to the order Characiformes. The name "characins" is the historical one, but scientists today tend to prefer "characids" to reflect their st ...

** ''

Genycharax ''Genycharax tarpon'' is a species of characin endemic to Colombia Colombia (, ; ), officially the Republic of Colombia, is a country in South America with insular regions in North America—near Nicaragua's Caribbean coast—as well ...

'' ** '' Leptobrycon'' ** ''

Microschemobrycon ''Microschemobrycon'' is a genus of characins, in the family (biology), family Characidae, from South America, with seven currently described species. It is a neotropical genus of ray-finned fishes distributed in the Amazon Basin to Mato Grosso ...

'' ** ''

Mixobrycon ''Mixobrycon ribeiroi'' is a species of characin endemic to Paraguay, where it is found in the Paraguay River The Paraguay River (Río Paraguay in Spanish, Rio Paraguai in Portuguese, Ysyry Paraguái in Guarani) is a major river in south-centr ...

'' ** ''

Oligobrycon ''Oligobrycon microstomus'' is a species of characin endemic to Brazil Brazil ( pt, Brasil; ), officially the Federative Republic of Brazil (Portuguese: ), is the largest country in both South America and Latin America. At and with over ...

'' ** ''

Oxybrycon ''Oxybrycon parvulus'' is a species of characin endemic to Peru where it is found in the Amazon River The Amazon River (, ; es, Río Amazonas, pt, Rio Amazonas) in South America is the largest river by discharge volume of water in the w ...

'' ** ''

Scissor Scissors are hand-operated shearing tools. A pair of scissors consists of a pair of metal blades pivoted so that the sharpened edges slide against each other when the handles (bows) opposite to the pivot are closed. Scissors are used for cutti ...

'' ** '' Serrabrycon'' ** '' Thrissobrycon'' ** '' Tucanoichthys'' ** ''

Tyttobrycon ''Tyttobrycon'' is a genus of characins native to the Amazon Basin in South America. Species There are currently six recognized species: * ''Tyttobrycon dorsimaculatus'' Jacques Géry, Géry, 1973 * ''Tyttobrycon hamatus'' Géry, 1973 * ''Tyt ...

'' Subfamily Stevardiinae * Tribe Eretmobryconini ** '' Eretmobrycon'' ** ''

Markiana ''Markiana'' is a genus of characins from tropical South America.Thomaz, A.T., Arcila, D., Ortí, G. & Malabarba, L.R. (2015): Molecular phylogeny of the subfamily Stevardiinae Gill, 1858 (Characiformes: Characidae): classification and the evolu ...

'' * Tribe

Xenurobryconini Characidae, the characids or characins is a family of freshwater subtropical and tropical fish, belonging to the order Characiformes. The name "characins" is the historical one, but scientists today tend to prefer "characids" to reflect their sta ...

** '' Iotabrycon'' ** '' Ptychocharax'' ** '' Scopaeocharax'' ** ''

Tyttocharax ''Tyttocharax'' is a genus of characins found in tropical South America South America is a continent entirely in the Western Hemisphere and mostly in the Southern Hemisphere, with a relatively small portion in the Northern Hemisphe ...

'' ** ''

Xenurobrycon ''Xenurobrycon'' is a genus of characins from tropical South America.Thomaz, A.T., Arcila, D., Ortí, G. & Malabarba, L.R. (2015): Molecular phylogeny of the subfamily Stevardiinae Gill, 1858 (Characiformes: Characidae): classification and the e ...

'' * Tribe ''Argopleura'' clade ** '' Argopleura'' * Tribe

Glandulocaudini Characidae, the characids or characins is a family of freshwater subtropical and tropical fish, belonging to the order Characiformes. The name "characins" is the historical one, but scientists today tend to prefer "characids" to reflect their sta ...

** ''

Glandulocauda ''Glandulocauda'' is a genus of small characin freshwater fish that are endemic to Brazil, where restricted to the upper Paraná basin and coastal river basins in São Paulo state.Thomaz, A.T., Arcila, D., Ortí, G. & Malabarba, L.R. (2015): Mo ...

'' ** ''

Lophiobrycon ''Lophiobrycon weitzmani'' is a species of small characin endemic to Brazil, where it is found in the upper Paraná River basin. It is considered threatened by Brazil's Ministry of the Environment. ICMBio (Ministry of the Environment, Brazil)Port ...

'' ** ''

Mimagoniates ''Mimagoniates'' is a genus of characid fish from rivers and streams in southeastern, southern and central-western Brazil, northeastern Argentina, and Paraguay.Thomaz, A.T., Arcila, D., Ortí, G. & Malabarba, L.R. (2015): Molecular phylogeny of ...

'' * Tribe Stevardiini ** '' Chrysobrycon'' ** '' Corynopoma'' ** '' Gephyrocharax'' ** '' Hysteronotus'' ** '' Pseudocorynopoma'' ** '' Pterobrycon'' * Tribe Hemibryconini ** ''

Acrobrycon ''Acrobrycon'' is a genus of characin found in tropical South America.Thomaz, A.T., Arcila, D., Ortí, G. & Malabarba, L.R. (2015): Molecular phylogeny of the subfamily Stevardiinae Gill, 1858 (Characiformes: Characidae): classification and the e ...

'' ** ''

Hemibrycon ''Hemibrycon'' is a genus of characins. They are mainly found in South America, Trinidad in the Caribbean), and ''H. dariensis'' of east Panama.Thomaz, A.T., Arcila, D., Ortí, G. & Malabarba, L.R. (2015): Molecular phylogeny of the subfamily Ste ...

'' 'Boehlkea''.html"_;"title="Boehlkea.html"_;"title="'Boehlkea">'Boehlkea''">Boehlkea.html"_;"title="'Boehlkea">'Boehlkea''*_Tribe_Creagrutini.html" ;"title="Boehlkea">'Boehlkea''.html" ;"title="Boehlkea.html" ;"title="'Boehlkea">'Boehlkea''">Boehlkea.html" ;"title="'Boehlkea">'Boehlkea''* Tribe Creagrutini">Boehlkea">'Boehlkea''.html" ;"title="Boehlkea.html" ;"title="'Boehlkea">'Boehlkea''">Boehlkea.html" ;"title="'Boehlkea">'Boehlkea''* Tribe Creagrutini ** ''Carlastyanax'' ** ''Creagrutus'' * Tribe Landonini ** ''Landonia'' * Tribe Phenacobryconini ** ''Phenacobrycon'' * Tribe Trochilocharacini ** ''Trochilocharax'' * Tribe

Diapomini Characidae, the characids or characins is a family of freshwater subtropical and tropical fish, belonging to the order Characiformes. The name "characins" is the historical one, but scientists today tend to prefer "characids" to reflect their sta ...

** '' Attonitus'' ** '' Aulixidens'' ** ''

Bryconacidnus ''Bryconacidnus'' is a genus of characins found in tropical South America.Thomaz, A.T., Arcila, D., Ortí, G. & Malabarba, L.R. (2015): Molecular phylogeny of the subfamily Stevardiinae Gill, 1858 (Characiformes: Characidae): classification and ...

'' ** '' Bryconamericus'' 'Hypobrycon''.html"_;"title="Hypobrycon.html"_;"title="'Hypobrycon">'Hypobrycon''">Hypobrycon.html"_;"title="'Hypobrycon">'Hypobrycon''**_''Caiapobrycon.html" ;"title="Hypobrycon">'Hypobrycon''.html" ;"title="Hypobrycon.html" ;"title="'Hypobrycon">'Hypobrycon''">Hypobrycon.html" ;"title="'Hypobrycon">'Hypobrycon''** ''Caiapobrycon">Hypobrycon">'Hypobrycon''.html" ;"title="Hypobrycon.html" ;"title="'Hypobrycon">'Hypobrycon''">Hypobrycon.html" ;"title="'Hypobrycon">'Hypobrycon''** ''Caiapobrycon'' ** ''Ceratobranchia'' ** ''Cyanogaster''Mattox, G.M.T., Britz, R., Toledo-Piza, M. & Marinho, M.M.F. (2013): Cyanogaster noctivaga, a remarkable new genus and species of miniature fish from the Rio Negro, Amazon basin (Ostariophysi: Characidae). ''Ichthyological Exploration of Freshwaters, 23 (4): 297-318.'' ** ''

Diapoma ''Diapoma'' is a genus of characins from tropical South America.Thomaz, A.T., Arcila, D., Ortí, G. & Malabarba, L.R. (2015): Molecular phylogeny of the subfamily Stevardiinae Gill, 1858 (Characiformes: Characidae): classification and the evoluti ...

'' ** ''

Knodus ''Knodus'' is a genus of characins, small freshwater fish from South America.Thomaz, A.T., Arcila, D., Ortí, G. & Malabarba, L.R. (2015): Molecular phylogeny of the subfamily Stevardiinae Gill, 1858 (Characiformes: Characidae): classification ...

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Lepidocharax ''Lepidocharax'' is a genus of characins endemic to the Doce, Paraguaçu and São Francisco basins in eastern Brazil.Thomaz, A.T., Arcila, D., Ortí, G. & Malabarba, L.R. (2015): Molecular phylogeny of the subfamily Stevardiinae Gill, 1858 (Ch ...

'' ** '' Microgenys'' ** ''

Monotocheirodon ''Monotocheirodon'' is a genus of characins native to tropical South America. The currently recognized species in this genus are: * ''Monotocheirodon drilos'' Naércio Aquino de Menezes, Menezes, Stanley Howard Weitzman, S. H. Weitzman & Irani ...

'' ** '' Othonocheirodus'' ** '' Phallobrycon'' ** '' Piabarchus'' ** ''

Piabina ''Piabina'' is a genus of characins from tropical South America South America is a continent entirely in the Western Hemisphere and mostly in the Southern Hemisphere, with a relatively small portion in the Northern Hemisphere at th ...

'' ** '' Planaltina'' ** '' Rhinobrycon'' ** ''

Rhinopetitia ''Rhinopetitia'' is a genus of characins endemism, endemic to Brazil.Thomaz, A.T., Arcila, D., Ortí, G. & Malabarba, L.R. (2015): Molecular phylogeny of the subfamily Stevardiinae Gill, 1858 (Characiformes: Characidae): classification and the ev ...

'' Subfamily Characinae * Tribe Protocheirodontini ** '' Protocheirodon''Vari, R.P., Melo, B.F. & Oliveira, C. (2016): ''Protocheirodon'', a new genus of Characidae (Teleostei: Characiformes) with the redescription of the poorly known ''Protocheirodon pi''. ''Neotropical Ichthyology, 14 (2): e150154.'' * Tribe Pseudocheirodontini ** '' Nanocheirodon'' ** '' Pseudocheirodon'' * Tribe

Aphyocharacini Characidae, the characids or characins is a family of freshwater subtropical and tropical fish, belonging to the order Characiformes. The name "characins" is the historical one, but scientists today tend to prefer "characids" to reflect their sta ...

** '' Aphyocharacidium'' ** '' Aphyocharax'' ** '' Leptagoniates'' ** '' Paragoniates'' ** '' Phenagoniates'' ** '' Prionobrama'' ** '' Xenagoniates'' * Tribe

Cheirodontini Characidae, the characids or characins is a family of freshwater subtropical and tropical fish, belonging to the order Characiformes. The name "characins" is the historical one, but scientists today tend to prefer "characids" to reflect their sta ...

** '' Cheirodon'' ** ''

Heterocheirodon ''Heterocheirodon'' is a genus of characins from South America, with two described species: * ''Heterocheirodon jacuiensis'' Luiz Roberto Malabarba, L. R. Malabarba & Vinicius de Araújo Bertaco, Bertaco, 1999 * ''Heterocheirodon yatai'' (Jorge R ...

'' ** '' Prodontocharax'' ** '' Saccoderma'' * Tribe Compsurini ** ''

Acinocheirodon ''Acinocheirodon melanogramma'' is a species of characin endemic to Brazil Brazil ( pt, Brasil; ), officially the Federative Republic of Brazil (Portuguese: ), is the largest country in both South America and Latin America. At and with ...

'' ** '' Compsura'' ** '' Ctenocheirodon''Malabarba, L.R. & Jerep, F.C. (2012): A New Genus and Species of Cheirodontine Fish from South America (Teleostei: Characidae). ''Copeia, 2012 (2): 243-250.'' ** '' Holoshesthes'' 'Aphyocheirodon'';_''Cheirodontops.html" ;"title="Aphyocheirodon.html" ;"title="'Aphyocheirodon">'Aphyocheirodon''; ''Cheirodontops">Aphyocheirodon.html" ;"title="'Aphyocheirodon">'Aphyocheirodon''; ''Cheirodontops''] ** ''Kolpotocheirodon'' ** ''Odontostilbe'' ** ''Serrapinnus'' * Tribe Exodontini ** ''Bryconexodon'' ** ''Bucktooth tetra, Exodon'' ** ''Roeboexodon'' * Tribe [ etragonopterinae ** '' Tetragonopterus'' * Tribe Characini ** '' Acanthocharax'' ** '' Acestrocephalus'' ** ''

Charax Charax (Χάραξ) may refer to: * Charax, alternate name of Acharaca, an ancient oracle site in Lydia, Anatolia * Charax, alternate name of Charakipolis, an ancient town in Lydia, Anatolia * Charax, alternate name of Tralles, an ancient city in Ly ...

'' ** ''

Cynopotamus ''Cynopotamus'' is a genus of characin fishes from South America, with 12 currently described species: * ''Cynopotamus amazonum'' (Albert Günther, Günther, 1868) * ''Cynopotamus argenteus'' (Achille Valenciennes, Valenciennes, 1836) * ''Cynopot ...

'' ** ''

Galeocharax ''Galeocharax'' is a genus of characins from the Río de la Plata Basin, Río de la Plata and Amazon basin, Amazon basins in South America.Menezes, N.A. (2007)Charax goeldii Fowler, 1913 a valid species of Galeocharax Fowler (Characiformes: Chara ...

'' ** '' Phenacogaster'' ** '' Priocharax'' ** ''

Roeboides ''Roeboides'' is a genus of characins from Central America, Central and South America. These fish, among other characteristics, are small, are typically translucent, and have a rhomboid shape. Species The 21 currently recognized species in this ...

Former members

The

Chalceidae Chalceidae, the tucanfishes, is a family of freshwater fish first described by Henry Weed Fowler in the year 1958. It is a monotypic family, home only to the genus ''incertae sedis'' ''Chalceus''. All members of the family inhabit areas of nort ...

, Iguanodectidae, Bryconidae and Heterocharacinae are the most recent clades to be removed in order to maintain a monophyletic Characidae.

Subfamily

Iguanodectinae Iguanodectinae is a subfamily of small freshwater fish in the family Iguanodectidae. They are most prominently found in the Amazon river basin and its major tributaries, but they are also known from the Tocantins, Orinoco, and Paraguay rivers. I ...

moved to Iguanodectidae * ''

Bryconops ''Bryconops'' is a genus of freshwater fish in the family Iguanodectidae from South America. It consists of small fish, all under half-a-foot long, with slender bodies and silvery scales, though there is some mild color variation. Several species ...

'' * ''

Iguanodectes ''Iguanodectes'' is a genus of freshwater fish found in tropical South America, with eight currently described species. They are all small tetras, none longer than 5 inches, and often have attractive silvery or striped scales, which makes them a t ...

'' * ''

Piabucus ''Piabucus'' is a genus of freshwater tetras in the family Iguanodectidae. All three species are found in South America, largely the Amazon and its major tributaries. None of them are longer than half a foot long, with the largest reaching a maxi ...

'' Subfamily Heterocharacinae moved to

* '' Gnathocharax'' * '' Heterocharax'' * '' Hoplocharax'' * '' Lonchogenys'' Subfamily Bryconinae moved to Bryconidae * '' Brycon'' * ''

Chilobrycon ''Chilobrycon deuterodon'' is a species of characin endemic to the Tumbes River on the Pacific slope of northern Peru. It is the only member of the genus ''Chilobrycon''. It can be found in fresh water at pelagic The pelagic zone consis ...

'' * ''

Henochilus ''Henochilus wheatlandii'' is a species of characin endemic to Brazil where native to the Mucuri and Doce River basins. It is a Critically Endangered species, and now restricted to the Santo Antônio River, a tributary of the Doce River. It is ...

'' Subfamily

Salmininae ''Salminus'', popularly known as dorado or dourado, is a genus of relatively large (up to long), predatory freshwater fish from the family Characidae. They are native to large tropical and subtropical rivers in South America, and undertake migr ...

moved to Bryconidae * ''

Salminus ''Salminus'', popularly known as dorado or dourado, is a genus of relatively large (up to long), predatory freshwater fish from the family Characidae. They are native to large tropical and subtropical rivers in South America, and undertake migr ...

'' Genera incertae sedis * ''

Chalceus ''Chalceus'' is a genus of fish that inhabits freshwater habitats in South America. Members can be found in the Amazon and Orinoco basins, as well as in the Guianas and various tributaries of the former. It is the sole representative of the fam ...

'' moved to

Genera ''incertae sedis''

A large number of

taxa In biology, a taxon (back-formation from ''taxonomy''; plural taxa) is a group of one or more populations of an organism or organisms seen by taxonomists to form a unit. Although neither is required, a taxon is usually known by a particular nam ...

in this family are ''

incertae sedis ' () or ''problematica'' is a term used for a taxonomic group where its broader relationships are unknown or undefined. Alternatively, such groups are frequently referred to as "enigmatic taxa". In the system of open nomenclature, uncertainty ...

''. The relationships of many fish in this family – in particular species traditionally placed in the etragonopterinae,_which_had_become_something_of_a_"

etragonopterinae,_which_had_become_something_of_a_"wastebin_taxon">etragonopterinae,_which_had_become_something_of_a_"wastebin_taxon"_–_are_poorly_known,_a_comprehensive_phylogenetic_study_for_the_entire_family_is_needed._The_genera_''Hyphessobrycon_ ''Hyphessobrycon''_is_a_genus_of_freshwater_fish_in_the_family_(biology),_family_Characidae._These_species_are_among_the_fishes_known_as_tetras._The_genus_is_distributed_in_the_Neotropical_realm_from_southern_Mexico_to_Río_de_la_Plata_in_Argenti_...

'',_''Astyanax_ In_Greek_mythology,_Astyanax_(;__grc,_Ἀστυάναξ_''Astyánax'',_"lord_of_the_city")_was_the_son_of_Hector,_the_crown_prince_of_Troy,_and_his_wife,_Princess_Andromache_of_Cilician_Thebe."Astyanax"._''Oxford_Classical_Dictionary''._Oxford,_1_...