Hoplias lacerdae

Hoplias lacerdae, also referred to as Black Raubsalmler or Trahira, belongs to the family of Raubsalmler ( Erythrynidae ) and one of the major predators of South America.

Species

According to some taxonomists to Hoplias divided lacerdae in the subspecies Hoplias australis, Hoplias brasiliensis (rivers in southwest Brazil, which drain into the Atlantic Ocean, Rio Paraguaçu and Rio Jequitinhonha ) Hoplias curupira, Hoplias intermedius (Rio São Francisco, upper Rio Paraná, Rio Doce ) and Hoplias lacerdae. Other new species were in the river systems of the Rio Negro, Trombetas, Tapajós, Xingu, Tocantins and Capim in the Amazon basin, the upper Rio Orinoco, Rio Casiquiare in Venezuela, as well as coastal rivers in Guyana and Suriname.

Distribution and habitat

Hoplias lacerdae comes in the river basin of the Rio Ribeira de Iguape in the states of São Paulo and Paraná in Brazil. As another distribution area of ​​the Río Uruguay is called. H. lacerdae lives on in a variety of habitats: in small to large rivers, from beneath waterfalls, lakes and reservoirs.

Description

The fish are up to 75 centimeters long and 4.3 kilograms. However, individual specimens can reach up to a meter body length. Differences are the types based on their lower jaw anatomy. Characteristic are its well-developed caudal fin, and the gray-brown stain drawing, which makes them an optimum adaptation to the respective substrate.

Way of life

Hoplias lacerdae has a very predatory lifestyle. The fish are lurking predators and prey from their shelters mainly smaller fish. Its low oxygen demand allows it to adapt to water with a low oxygen content. During the spawning season developed Hoplias lacerdae a pronounced territorial behavior, the female protects the nest against intruders and robbers spawning.

Economic Importance

Hoplias lacerdae is a food fish and is often captured by anglers.