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Hydrolycus scomberoides

Hydrolycus scomberoides, to English. also Dog Tooth Characin ( Hundeszahnsalmler ), Vampire Fish / tetra ( vampire fish ), called in Venezuela Cachorra or Chambira, is a predatory fish from South America.

Distribution and habitat

Hydrolycus scomberoides lives in the Orinoco and Amazon basins. Often they are found in the estuary of the Rio Tapajós and the area of ​​influence of the Araguaia and Tocantins. They share their habitat often together with the large, carnivorous cichlid Cichla ocellaris. Except in Brazil, Hydrolycus scomberoides is found in tropical lowland waters in Venezuela, Ecuador, Peru and Bolivia.

Description

Hydrolycus scomberoides similar in habit greatly H. armatus, although the latter can be much larger and heavier. The back part of Hydrolycus scomberoides is silver shiny. The biggest specimen of 17.8 kg in weight and a body length of 108 centimeters, was captured in 1996 near the Uraima waterfalls in the Rio Paragua in Venezuela.

Way of life

Hydrolycus scomberoides often stays in the fast-flowing water on means, in ducts or in the vicinity of sandbanks, also in flooded forests. You can eat fish that reach up to 40-50 % of its length. With approximately 27 centimeters in length, the spawning maturity is reached. Spawning takes place in the months of November to April. In its spawning migrations it can overcome long distances.

Use

Hydrolycus scomberoides as a sport fish regional importance. As a food fish it is largely ignored. Part of it is kept as an aquarium fish.