Characidae, the characids or characins, is a family of freshwater subtropical and tropical fish belonging to the order Characiformes. The name "characins" is a historical one, but scientists today tend to prefer "characids" to reflect their status as a, by and large, monophyletic group. To arrive there, this family has undergone much systematic and taxonomic change. Among those fishes remaining in the Characidae currently are the tetras, comprising the very similar genera Hemigrammus and Hyphessobrycon, as well as a few related forms, such as the cave and neon tetras. Fish of this family are important as food in several regions, and also constitute a large percentage of captive freshwater aquarium fish species.
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, they are found in freshwater habitats from the Río Atrato in northernmost South America to warm-temperate central Argentina; they are of Amazon origin, with few found west of the Andes. Their scientific name approximately means "mouth on top", from Ancient Greek áno- (ἄνω) "up" + stóma (στόμᾶ) "mouth", in reference to the arrangement of these fishes' mouth opening.
A headstander is any of several species of South American fish, including Anostomus ternetzi, Anostomus anostomus and members of genus Chilodus from the family Chilodontidae. The name derives from their habit of swimming at a 45° angle, head pointed downwards, as if "standing on their heads".
Myloplus schomburgkii, also known as the Disk tetra, Disk pacu, Black-ear pacu, Black-band myleus or Black-barred myleus is a species of serrasalmid with a black bar on its side. This species is found in the middle and lower Amazon River basin, Nanay River, upper Orinoco River basin in Brazil, Peru, Venezuela and possibly in Suriname.
Anostomus ternetzi, the red mouth headstander, is a fish in the family Anostomidae.
Schizodon borellii is a fish in the family Anostomidae from South America.
Hoplerythrinus gronovii is a species of trahira. It is a tropical, pelagic freshwater fish.
Leporinus enyae is a species of Leporinus fish discovered 2017 in the Orinoco River drainage area. It is named after the Irish singer Enya, whose major music hit "Orinoco Flow" deals with the Orinoco River, among others.
Myloplus zorroi is a medium to large omnivorous fish of the family Serrasalmidae from Brazil.
Acnodon senai is a species of serrasalmids found in South America. It is found in the Jari River basin in Brazil. This species reaches a length of 13.2 cm (5.2 in).
Myloplus planquettei is a medium to large omnivorous fish of the family Serrasalmidae from South America, where found in the Mana, the Maroni and the Essequibo Basins on the Guiana Shield. It and can grow to a length of 58 cm (23 in).
Leporinus agassizii is a species of anostomid fish. It is found in the Amazon River basin in South America.
Leporinus gomesi is a species of anostomid fish. It is found in the Aripuanã River basin in Brazil.
Leporinus vanzoi is a species of anostomid fish. It is endemic to Brazil and found in the Tapajós. It can grow to 11.8 cm (4.6 in) standard length.
Leporinus santosi is a species of fish in the family Anostomidae. It is found in the lower Tocantins River in Pará state, Brazil.
Leporinus sidlauskasi is a species of fish in the family Anostomidae. It is found in the lower Tocantins River in Pará State, Brazil.
Leporinus venerei is a species of anostomid fish. It is endemic to Brazil and known only from the Araguaia River basin.
Leporinus microphysus is a species of fish in the family Anostomidae. It is found in the Amazon basin in Brazil.
Leporinus tristriatus is a species of fish in the family Anostomidae. It is found in the Amazon basin in Brazil.
Leporinus britskii is a species of fish in the family Anostomidae. It is found in the Rio Tapajós and the Rio Jari drainages in Brazil.
