Pygocentrus cariba
Pygocentrus cariba
Pygocentrus cariba is a predatory freshwater fish from the piranha genus Pygocentrus. He is also called Red shoulder spot piranha in Spanish Caribe Colorado, Caribe Capaburro and English Caribe Piranha, Piranha or Black Shoulder Shoulder Spot Piranha.
System
In more recent taxonomies also the name Pygoncentrus stigmaterythraeus emerges. It is not yet clearly detected genetically whether Pygocentrus notatus is a subspecies of P. cariba or a distinct species.
Description
The Body of Pygocentrus cariba is compact, stocky and compressed laterally. The front and back section is robust and has a forward curvature on. Its back is dark blue in color and covered with silvery light, strong iridierenden shed. It is characterized by bright orange-yellow belly underside of the fish, as well as a black pigment spot in the shoulder area on the middle gill cover and approach the sidelines. Body shape and coloration can change in the course of its development. Young animals have in some waters on a spot drawing. Both the jaw and the teeth are very strong pronounced. Pygocentrus cariba is up to 30 cm tall, in exceptional cases even up to 40 cm, which is after the piraya the second largest piranha species.
Distribution and habitat
Pygocentrus cariba pelagic in tropical river basins of the Orinoco and rivers in the Llanos region, such as the Rio Apure in Venezuela. In addition, you will find the way to Lago del Guarico. Other waters where P. cariba are occurring the Cinaruco, Cano Igues Portuguesa, the Orinoco Delta, Guariquito, Uracoa, Caura, Capanaparo, Ventuari, Ocamo, Cojedes and Rio payara. Optimal for its dissemination are water temperatures of 24 to 30 ° C and a pH of 5.5 to 7.5.
Way of life
These fish are very fast swimmers, which often go in calm and clear water in groups to larger swarms to hunt. The life of Pygocentrus cariba is strong from the annual frequency of its habitat and the periodic rain and determined associated drying times. Towards the end of the dry season during the months of March and April, they are greatly feared in the muddy lagoons of the dried up surface water, as they show through the constricted habitat and food scarcity a higher aggressiveness. For a long time it was assumed that the species P. cariba would have the most pronounced carnivorous eating habits of the entire Pygocentrus group. The thesis that it is, however, are pure carnivores in Pygocentrus species, has now been disproved. The food spectrum changes with increasing age. It was found that swarms of Pygocentrus notatus show their predatory behavior during the rainy season only during daylight hours from dawn to dusk with a peak period at 11 clock. Stomach examinations showed that their prey to 80% consists of fish. Among his prey injured or sick fish as well as the water fallen fledglings. Among the breeding grounds of waterfowl gather for breeding season larger swarms, which have been conditioned to attack fallen into the water creatures. A large swarm of P. cariba associated everything that falls into the water under the trees automatically with food. In these situations, a so-called " feeding frenzy " occur. Locals avoid the bathroom under Piranheira - trees, among which are frequently present swarms. Pygocentrus cariba is attributed to a pronounced territorial behavior.
Relationship with people
The old name notatus, " notorious " Latin for, points to the potential dangers of P. notatus for people. So far, no fatalities are known.
Benefit
Pygocentrus cariba serves as a food fish, game fish for anglers and fish aquariums.