HomeFish encyclopediaRay-finned fishesCharacinsCharacinsPando tetra Pando tetra (Hyphessobrycon pando) Scientific name: Hyphessobrycon pando Hein, 2009 The Pando tetra (Hyphessobrycon pando) is a freshwater fish of the family Characidae. Native range: South America, Bolivia. BiologyDorsal soft rays (total): 8-9; Anal soft rays: 22 - 25; Vertebrae: 34. This species is distinguished by the following characters: upper jaw with 2 rows of teeth; no scales on caudal-fin; incomplete lateral line; deep body, red in colour, with a black humeral and dorsal spot, anterior and posterior margined by a light zone. Also characteristic to this species are 6-10 conical to tricuspid teeth on the inner row of the premaxillary; 1-4 conical teeth on the outer row; 5-8 conical to tricuspid teeth on the maxillary; 8 gill rakers on dorsal limb, 13 on ventral; a black dorsal spot converges ventrally to a more or less rounded tip. H. werneri and H. epicharis have similar tooth pattern and a distinct black humeral spot; however, both have a long horizontally extended humeral spot and prolonged dorsal fins in males (vs. a round spot often with small expansions above and below and a short dorsal fin in the H. pando). H. pando differs in having a well developed infraorbital 4 vs. rSource: FishBase, licensed CC BY-NC 4.0. Species factsScientific nameHyphessobrycon pandoFamilyCharacidae (Characins)OrderCharaciformes (Characins)ClassActinopterygii (Ray-finned fishes)Maximum length3.7EnvironmentFreshwater; pelagicClimateTropicalDistributionSouth America: Bolivia.Conservation status (IUCN)Not EvaluatedThreat to humansHarmless SourcesTaxonomy, distribution and biology data: FishBase (Froese, R. and D. Pauly, eds.), licensed CC BY-NC 4.0.Last updated 27 September 2026