Scientific Name
Piaractus brachypomus

Common Name
Pirapatinga

Biology
Juveniles mimic Serrasalmus nattereri. Feeds on insects and decaying plants (Ref. 32894). Possesses powerful dentition that can cause serious bites (Ref. 4537). An important foodfish (Ref. 12202).

Classification

Classified By

Cuvier, 1818

Class

Ray-finned fishes (Actinopterygii)

Order

Characins (Characiformes)

Family

Characins (Characidae)

Distribution

Region

South America

Distribution

South America: Amazon and Orinoco River basins (Ref. 39031). Reported from Argentina (Ref. 9086).

Range

23°N - 11°S

Environment

Climate

Tropical

Water Temperature From

23 °C

Water Temperature To

28 °C

Depth From - meters

Unknown m

Depth To - meters

Unknown m

Zone

pelagic

Environment

Freshwater; ; pH range: 4.8 - 6.8; dH range: ? - 15 pelagic

Trophic Level

2.52 s.e. 0.22 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

88.0 cm

Common Length

Unknown cm

Phylogenetic Diversity Index

PD50 = 0.7500 many relatives (e.g. carps) 0.5 - 2.0 few relatives (e.g. lungfishes)

Human Uses and Population

Human Uses

Fisheries: minor commercial; aquaculture: commercial; aquarium: commercial

Vulnerability

High to very high vulnerability (66 of 100)

Resilience

Low, minimum population doubling time 4.5 - 14 years (tm=7; tmax=28)

Threat To Humans

Traumatogenic

IUCN Red List Status

Not Evaluated