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Definition of vampire tetra
vampire tetra
Plural:vampire tetras
vampire tetra Lexical Profile
CEFR
C1
Grade
8
Tier
3
Usage
Rare
• noun
1
A large, predatory freshwater fish native to the Amazon and Orinoco river basins in South America, distinguished by its two remarkably long, fang-like lower teeth used to impale smaller fish.
Example
"Sport anglers traveling to the Amazon often hope to catch the elusive vampire tetra due to its striking appearance and fierce reputation."
Synonyms
View all synonyms for vampire tetra• Nearby Words
Word Origin & Etymology
The common name derives from the creature's remarkably long, fang-like teeth (evoking a 'vampire') and its taxonomic relation to the characin family, commonly known as 'tetras', despite being substantially larger than typical aquarium tetras.
Cite this Entry
Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Vampire tetra. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Oct 13, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/vampire tetra