characin

 
Pronunciation: /ˈkarəsɪn/

noun

  • a small and brightly coloured freshwater fish native to Africa and tropical America.
    • Family Characidae: numerous species, including the piranhas and popular aquarium fishes such as the tetras

Origin:

late 19th century: from modern Latin Characinus (genus name), from Greek kharax, literally 'pointed stake', denoting a kind of fish