Piaractus brachypomus
Piaractus brachypomus (Cuvier, 1818)
Pirapitinga
photo by Jinkings, K.


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Family:  Serrasalmidae (Piranhas and pacus), subfamily: Colossomatinae
Max. size:  88 cm TL (male/unsexed); max.weight: 25 kg; max. reported age: 28 years
Environment:  pelagic; freshwater; pH range: 4.80000019073486 - 6.80000019073486; dH range: 15, potamodromous
Distribution:  South America: Amazon and Orinoco River basins (Ref. 39031). Reported from Argentina (Ref. 9086).
Diagnosis:   
Biology:  Juveniles mimic Serrasalmus nattereri. Adults feed on insects and decaying plants (Ref. 32894). They possess powerful dentition that can cause serious bites (Ref. 4537). An important foodfish (Ref. 12202).
IUCN Red List Status: Least Concern (LC); Date assessed: 21 December 2020 Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  traumatogenic


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