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Characiformes (Characins) >
Serrasalmidae (Piranhas and pacus) > Serrasalminae
Etymology: Pygocentrus: Greek, pyge = rump + Greek, kentron = sting (Ref. 45335).
Eponymy: Dr Johann Natterer (1787–1843) was an Austrian naturalist and collector. [...] (Ref. 128868), visit book page.
More on author: Kner.
Issue
Recent observation reveal NMW 16167 dry specimen as possible syntype. See Fink & Zelditch (1997:179) for taxonomic status. See Zbinden (1973) and Sazima and Machado (1990) for details on behaviour.
Environment: milieu / climate zone / εύρος βάθους / distribution range
Οικολογία
; Γλυκού νερού Πελαγικό(ά); pH range: 5.5 - 7.5; dH range: ? - 20. Subtropical; 23°C - 27°C (Ref. 13371); 9°N - 34°S
South America: Amazon River basin, Paraguay-Paraná River basin, northeastern Brazilian coastal rivers and Essequibo River basin (Ref. 39031). Reported from the Uruguay River, Brazil (Ref. 79585).
Length at first maturity / Μέγεθος / Βάρος / Age
Γεννητική Ωρίμανση: Lm ? range ? - 15 cm
Max length : 50.0 cm SL αρσενικό/απροσδιόριστο; (Ref. 81048); μεγ. δημοσιευμένο βάρος: 3.9 kg (Ref. 40637)
Short description
Κλείδες προσδιορισμού | Μορφολογία | Μορφομετρία
Ραχιαίες άκανθες (συνολικά) : 0; Μαλακές ραχιαίες ακτίνες (συνολικά) : 16 - 18; Εδρικές άκανθες: 0; Μαλακές εδρικές ακτίνες: 27 - 30.
Body shape (shape guide): short and / or deep; Cross section: compressed.
Common in creeks and interconnected ponds in Matto Grosso, Brazil, where it influences distribution and feeding of other fish (Ref. 9080) and in areas of high primary production in Rio Machado and Rio Negro (Ref.9096). Adults feed mainly at dusk and dawn. Feeds on insects, worms and fish (Ref. 7020). Medium-sized to large individuals (15-24 cm length) forage mainly at dawn, late afternoon and night up to about 2200H, whereas smaller fish (8-11 cm) are active mainly during the day (Ref. 9080). Teeth replacement on alternating sides of jaw allows continuous feeding. Its powerful dentition can inflict serious bites. Has a highly evolved auditory capacity and a 'lurking', then 'dashing' behavior during daytime. Shows hierarchies within small schools (Ref. 9077). Available information on body composition of 'piranha caju' flesh is 8.2% fat, 15.0% protein and 4.4% ash (Ref. 9251).
Males and females appear externally alike (Refs. 2279 & 9245). In 'Serrasalmus sp. aff. nattereri', reported to occur in the Orinoco basin (Venezuela, Guyana), the males have more 'bull-like' heads, but are more slender than females (Ref. 1672). Eggs are laid on tree roots trailing in the water and are guarded; the reproductive success may vary strongly from year to year depending on how the savanna was flooded (Ref. 9078). The eggs are large, adhere to plants and are not attacked by the parents. They hatch in 9 to10 days (Ref. 7020).
Fink, W.L., 1993. Revision of the piranha genus Pygocentrus. Copeia 1993(3):665-687. (Ref. 27142)
IUCN Red List Status (Ref. 130435: Version 2025-1)
Threat to humans
Traumatogenic (Ref. 4537)
Human uses
αλιεία: περιορισμένης εμπορικότητας; αλιεία αναψυχής: ναί; Ενυδρείο: Εμπορικό(ά)
Εργαλεία
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Διαδικτυακές πηγές
Estimates based on models
Phylogenetic diversity index (Αναφ.
82804): PD
50 = 0.5625 [Uniqueness, from 0.5 = low to 2.0 = high].
Bayesian length-weight: a=0.02089 (0.01373 - 0.03180), b=3.16 (3.04 - 3.28), in cm total length, based on LWR estimates for this species & (Sub)family-body (Ref.
93245).
Τροφικό Επίπεδο (Αναφ.
69278): 3.7 ±0.61 se; based on food items.
Generation time: 1.7 ( na - na) years. Estimated as median ln(3)/K based on 1
growth studies.
Ελαστικότητα (Αναφ.
120179): Μεσαίο(α), ελάχιστος χρόνος για διπλασιασμό πληθυσμού 1,4 - 4,4 έτη (K=0.89; tm=1; Fec=4,000-5,000).
Fishing Vulnerability (Ref.
59153): Moderate vulnerability (44 of 100).
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Nutrients (Ref.
124155): Calcium = 59.4 [26.7, 161.3] mg/100g; Iron = 2.16 [1.01, 5.44] mg/100g; Protein = 19.6 [17.4, 22.0] %; Omega3 = 0.665 [0.258, 1.848] g/100g; Selenium = 32.6 [11.5, 81.7] μg/100g; VitaminA = 14.8 [3.9, 59.4] μg/100g; Zinc = 0.783 [0.500, 1.228] mg/100g (wet weight);
