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Glite Dictionary
Characidae

Characidae

9.9
A family of tropical freshwater fish like tetras found in Africa and the Americas
  • noun
  • /ˌkærəˈsɪdiː/
  • Specialized
: Characidae
  • Many aquarists keep Characidae species, such as neons and cardinals, in their home aquariums.

Examples

  • Researchers discovered a new genus within the Characidae family in Central America.

  • The Amazon River is home to a remarkable diversity of Characidae.

  • The Characidae family includes many popular aquarium fish.

  • Did you know that Characidae are often called tetras?

  • Many aquarists keep Characidae species, such as neons and cardinals, in their home aquariums.

  • The Amazon River is home to a remarkable diversity of Characidae.

  • The Characidae family includes many popular aquarium fish.

Synonyms

family Characidae
vsCharacidae
  • Specialized
9.5

A group of tropical freshwater fish like tetras that live in South and Central America and Africa

is the same name but written as the family name without the initial word
family Characinidae
vsCharacidae
  • Archaic
9.6

An old scientific name for a group of fish that live in rivers and lakes like tetras

is the modern accepted name replacing that older scientific term

Compounds

family Characidae
  • Specialized
9.5

A group of tropical freshwater fish like tetras that live in South and Central America and Africa

Surface Forms

Characidae singular
Characidas plural

Etymology

Characidae comes from the fish group name Charax plus the family ending -idae, and Charax comes from a Greek word meaning 'point' or 'stake'. So the name suggests the fish's sharp teeth or pointed body, which fits this family of tropical freshwater tetras and their relatives.