Scientific Name
Catoprion mento

Common Name
Wimple piranha

Biology
Possesses powerful dentition and can inflict serious bites. Has been observed to feed on scales of other fish (Ref. 598).

Classification

Classified By

Cuvier, 1819

Class

Ray-finned fishes (Actinopterygii)

Order

Characins (Characiformes)

Family

Characins (Characidae)

Distribution

Region

South America

Distribution

South America: Amazon, Orinoco, Essequibo, and upper Paraguay River basins.

Range

Unknown

Environment

Climate

Tropical

Water Temperature From

23 °C

Water Temperature To

26 °C

Depth From - meters

Unknown m

Depth To - meters

Unknown m

Zone

pelagic

Environment

Freshwater; ; pH range: ? - 5.4 pelagic

Trophic Level

3.2 s.e. 0.49 Based on food items.

Occurs in Marine / Salt water

False

Occurs in Brackish water

False

Occurs in Fresh Water

True

Occurs on Reefs

False

Is kept in Aquariums

True

Physical Size and Genetics

Maximum Length

15.0 cm

Common Length

Unknown cm

Phylogenetic Diversity Index

PD50 = 1.0000 many relatives (e.g. carps) 0.5 - 2.0 few relatives (e.g. lungfishes)

Human Uses and Population

Human Uses

Fisheries: minor commercial; aquarium: commercial

Vulnerability

Low vulnerability (13 of 100)

Resilience

High, minimum population doubling time less than 15 months (Preliminary K or Fecundity.)

Threat To Humans

Traumatogenic (Ref. 598)

IUCN Red List Status

Not Evaluated