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Serrasalmus marginatus Valenciennes, 1837 |
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photo by
Janzon, L.-A. |
| Family: | Serrasalmidae (Piranhas and pacus), subfamily: Serrasalminae | |||
| Max. size: | 27.1 cm TL (male/unsexed); 32.4 cm TL (female); max.weight: 440.0 g; max.weight: 783.0 g | |||
| Environment: | benthopelagic; freshwater | |||
| Distribution: | South America: Paraguay-Paraná River basin. | |||
| Diagnosis: | ||||
| Biology: | Feeds mainly during the daytime, though some large fish (15-20 cm SL) extend their foraging activity to dusk (about 1800-1900H). Night is spent sheltered among vegetation. Small-sized to medium-sized fish (7-10 cm) are solitary and patrol feeding territories (3-4 square m.) in a way similar to that reported for the scale-eating Catoprion mento. Stalking with some use of plant cover is a frequent mode of hunting employed by S. marginatus. It approaches its prey with a slow, stealthy movement from behind or below. It strikes its prey on the tail or anal fin, of which a piece is clipped out with a jerking motion of the body. This clipping is audible underwater. Lurking is also employed during daytime (Ref. 9080). | |||
| IUCN Red List Status: | Least Concern (LC); Date assessed: 22 December 2020 Ref. (130435) | |||
| Threat to humans: | harmless | |||