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💧 Freshwater Near Threatened 🍽️ Edible 🐠 Aquarium 🌡️ Tropical

Guatemalan headstander

Roeboides guatemalensis Günther, 1864
Max Length
13 cm
Max Weight
-
Lifespan
-
Trophic Level
3.8
Depth
-
Climate
Tropical
Resilience
-
Vulnerability
10.00/100
Typical Length
-
Depth Zone
-

📖 Overview

Guatemalan headstander (Roeboides guatemalensis) is a ray-finned fish of the family Characidae. It inhabits freshwater waters. This species can reach a maximum total length of 13 cm. With a trophic level of 3.8, it is a mid-level predator. It is assessed as Near Threatened on the IUCN Red List. Commercially fished and consumed as food.

Scientific Name
Roeboides guatemalensis
Authority
Günther, 1864
Habitat
Freshwater
Climate
Tropical
IUCN Status
NT
Max Length
13 cm
Trophic Level
3.8
Vulnerability
10.00/100
Salinity
0–0.5 ppt

🔬 Taxonomy

Kingdom
Animalia
Phylum
Chordata
Class
Teleostei
Teleostei
Order
Characiformes
Characiformes
Family
Characidae
Characidae
Genus
Roeboides
Roeboides
Species
Guatemalan headstander
Roeboides guatemalensis

🐟 Physical Description

Physical description for Guatemalan headstander is currently being compiled.

🌀 Behaviour

Behavioural data for Guatemalan headstander is currently being reviewed.

🦐 Diet

aquatic invertebrates
small fish
algae
detritus

🥚 Reproduction

🐣 Oviparous
Spawning Season
spring
Spawn Location
Substrate
Fertilization
External

🌍 Habitat & Distribution

Freshwater; benthopelagic. Tropical Central America: Atlantic slope drainages of Panama from Gatun Lake including the basin of the Chagres River and to the east of the Cascajal River.

🌿 Ecology

Zone Preferences
💧 Freshwater
Trophic Level
3.8±0.6

📐 Morphometrics

Length–Weight Relationship: W = 0.00676 × L3.12 (TL)
Max TL
13cm

🌡️ Water Parameters & Tolerance

Salinity Range
0–0.5ppt

🛡️ Conservation Assessment

IUCN Category
Near Threatened
Assessment Date
2019

📊 Population Risk & Fisheries

Fishing Vulnerability
10.00/100
Low vulnerability
Trophic Level
3.8
Predator
Climate Zone
Tropical
Described By
Günther, 1864

🍽️ Edibility & Flavour

"Guatemalan headstander is an edible species."

✗ Not for Raw
✓ Fresh Indicators
  • Clear, bright eyes — cloudy eyes indicate age
  • Firm flesh that springs back when pressed
  • Fresh ocean smell, never strong or ammonia-like
  • Bright red or pink gills, not grey or brown
  • Shiny, moist skin with scales tightly attached
✗ Avoid If
  • Cloudy or sunken eyes
  • Strong fishy or ammonia odour
  • Soft, mushy flesh that doesn't spring back
  • Discoloured or dry flesh
Best Cooking Methods
Baking Grilling Pan-frying

⚡ Nutrition

Detailed nutritional data for Guatemalan headstander is currently being compiled from USDA FoodData Central.

🔬 Mercury Safety

Mercury data for Guatemalan headstander has not yet been assigned. Please consult FDA/EPA guidance for general seafood safety advice.

🌿 Sustainability

Best Choice
Healthy stocks, low impact
Good Alternative
Well-managed, minor concerns
Use Caution
Check sourcing and season
Avoid
Overfished or high impact
✓ Sustainable Choice

🔬 Full Nutritional Profile

Per 100g - Raw, per 100g - Source: USDA FoodData Central templates (generic fish average)

Proximate Composition
Energy125 kcal
Moisture75 %
Protein20 %
Total Fat4 %
Ash1.3 %
Fatty Acids (g)
Saturated Fat1 g
Monounsaturated Fat1.2 g
Polyunsaturated Fat1.5 g
Omega-3 Total1 g
EPA0.3 g
DHA0.5 g
Omega-6 Total0.3 g
Key Minerals & Vitamins
Calcium20 mg
Iron0.7 mg
Magnesium30 mg
Phosphorus220 mg
Potassium380 mg
Sodium55 mg
Zinc0.5 mg
Selenium32 µg
Vitamin B122 µg

📊 Population Dynamics

Year Region Index Notes
- - -

🌐 Names & Taxonomy

Language Common Names
🇬🇧English Guatemalan Glass Characin · Guatemalan Headstander
🌍CES tetřík guatemalský
🇩🇪German Guatemala-Glassalmler
🇷🇺Russian Гватемальская стекловидная тетра
🇪🇸Spanish Anchobeta · Anchovata · Anchoveta

Scientific Synonyms

Scientific Name Author Year Status
Anacyrtus guatemalensis Günther 1864 Synonym

🗺️ Global Occurrence Map

Occurrence records from the Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF) - 23 records indexed .

Occurrence density from GBIF View GBIF records ↗

👥 Community & Contribute

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