Agoniates

Agoniates halecinus

The Heringssalmler ( Agoniates ( Gr.. " Agōniatēs " = competitor ) ), called in Brazil Maiaca, are small, pelagic predators that occur throughout the Amazon basin, the Rio Tocantins and in Guyana.

Features

Heringssalmler be 14.8 cm to 21.5 cm and are similar in appearance to occur in the same habitat freshwater herring. They have an elongate body and are silvery color. For tetras they show some unusual features, including a well-developed Coracoidknochen, maxillary which are much longer than the reduced premaxilla, an alternating arrangement of strong, sharp, hook-like fangs and conical teeth in the lower jaw and two rows dreispitziger or conical teeth on the premaxilla. The scales are relatively large and higher than long. The gills Reuse rays are finely toothed. The lateral line is complete and runs on the first five scales in a sharp curve. The dorsal fin is small and sits behind the middle of the body, the anal fin is supported 23-34 branched soft rays.

• Branchiostegalstrahlen: 5
• Eddy: 41-43.

Way of life

Heringssalmler live in the open water in mixed shoals with Beilbauchheringen and are probably fish eaters.

System

The Heringssalmler were asked a long time in the family of the Real tetras ( Characidae ), then assigned by Oliveira and colleagues from the newly established family Triportheidae 2011.

Species

The genus consists of two species.

• Agoniates anchovia C. H. Eigenmann, 1914
• Agoniates halecinus Müller & Troschel, 1845 ( type species )