Species of fish
Hydrolycus tatauaia is a species of dogtooth characin found in the Amazon, Orinoco and Essequibo basins in tropical South America.[2][3] Adults mainly occur in deep and/or fast-flowing rivers.[4] It is migratory, moving upstream to breed in November–April.[5]
Like other Hydrolycus species, H. tatauaia has long pointed canine teeth that are used to spear their prey, generally smaller fish.[5] The body and head are silvery, and there is a vertically elongated dark spot behind the opercle. The tail is reddish to orange.[3][5][6] The species name tatauaia is of Tupi origin and means "fire tail".[3][7] It reaches up to 59 cm (1 ft 11 in) in total length and 2.7 kg (5 lb 15 oz) in weight.[2]
This predatory fish occasionally makes its way into the aquarium trade, but it requires a very large tank.[5]
References
