SYN: Brycon macrolepidotus, Chalceus ararapeera, C. erythrurus, Pellegrina heterolepsis PD: An elongated, laterally compressed species with large scales. The upper parts have rows of large scales, while the lower parts have much smaller ones. The back is brownish-silver while the flanks are silver with a greenish iridescence. The belly is pinkish-silver. The fins range from yellow to dark red in color. The upper part of the iris is yellow to orange. There is a dark spot near the gill cover. SIZE: To 10” (25 cm) SS: Other Chalceus species HAB: South America; from Guyana to Peru. S: middle TANK: A 40” (101 cm) or 45-55 gallon (170-209 L) tank is sufficient for fish up to 5” (13 cm) in length. However, once exceeding 5” (13 cm), a tank measuring at least 60” (152 cm) with a capacity from 90 gallons (342 L) is required. The tank should be equipped with a tight-fitting cover. Plant along the edges and rear of the tank and leave plenty of open swimming areas. WATER: pH 6-7.5 (7.0), 6-18 dH (12), 73-82°F (23-28°C) SB: A predatory schooling fish that can be combined with other large, robust species. This characin should be kept singly or in groups of eight or more. When this species is kept in small groups, fighting often occurs. SC: Oscars, Colossoma, Serrasalmus, Brycon, Metynnis, Myleus, Mylossoma, Pimelodid catfish, Crenicichla . FOOD: Live; fish, crustaceans; chopped meat; pellets; flakes; tablets SEX: Unknown B: Has been bred only rarely and few details are known. On all occasions , spawning has occured in very large tanks. About 2000 eggs are scattered amongst plants. The pair should be removed. Start feeding with Artemia nauplii. BP: 10. Breeding is not feasible under most conditions. R: This species can be long-lived in a large, well maintained tank. DC: 6. This hardy species is not suitable for most tanks due to its size and aggressive behavior. Recent articles about fish Overfishing may hurt Amazon forest trees (2/5/2008) Overfishing is reducing the effectiveness of seed dispersal by fish in the Brazilian Pantanal, reports Nature. The research suggests that fishing practices can affect forest health. Scientists find fish that literally lives in trees (10/17/2007) Scientists have found a fish that literally lives in trees, according to research published in The American Naturalist and highlighted in New Scientist Magazine. Piranhas originated when Amazon was flooded by seawater (12/4/2007) South America's piranha family of fish -- notorious as eaters of flesh -- can be traced back to a single ancestor which dispersed when the Amazon was flooded by seawater some five million years ago, report researchers from the Institut de Recherche Pour le Developpement (IRD). Today piranhas are exclusively freshwater fish found from the Orinoco River basin in Venezuela to the Parana in Argentina. |
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Copyright Rhett Butler 1994-2009 The copy for fish.mongabay.com was written in 1994-1995. Therefore some information such as scientific names may be out of date. For this, I apologize. Feel free to send corrections to me. |
