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Freshwater barracuda (Acestrorhynchus lacustris) — Acestrorhynchidae

Freshwater barracuda

Acestrorhynchus lacustris
LC · Least Concern

The Freshwater barracuda (Acestrorhynchus lacustris) is a freshwater fish of the family Acestrorhynchidae that grows up to 32 cm.

Length
31.8 cm
Water
Freshwater
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Solitary
Activity
Diurnal
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Mixed bottom
Danger
Harmless
Edibility
Rarely eaten

Description

The freshwater barracuda is a slender predatory characin from fresh water of South America, including the Parana basin. The species grows to about 32 cm and has an elongate, silvery body, a pointed head and long, sharp teeth, giving it the look of a freshwater barracuda. As a fast surface hunter it chases small fish in open water. The fish is largely harmless to humans and has limited commercial value. The IUCN assesses the species as Least Concern (LC).

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Freshwater barracuda?

The Freshwater barracuda has an elongate, eel-like body, is mainly silver-grey and shows a plain pattern.

Where does the Freshwater barracuda live?

The Freshwater barracuda lives in fresh water and is mostly found around mixed bottom.

How big does the Freshwater barracuda get?

The Freshwater barracuda grows to a maximum of about 32 cm.

Is the Freshwater barracuda dangerous to humans?

No, the Freshwater barracuda is harmless to humans.

Is the Freshwater barracuda edible?

The Freshwater barracuda is rarely eaten.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Hondstand-karakijn verified
English name
Freshwater barracuda verified
Scientific name
Acestrorhynchus lacustris
Family
Acestrorhynchidae

Appearance

Size class
Medium verified
Max length (cm)
31.8 verified
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like) sourced
Dominant colour
Silver / grey sourced
Pattern
Plain sourced
Tail shape
Forked inferred
Mouth position
Terminal sourced
Lips
Thin sourced
Barbels
No sourced
Dorsal fins
Two separate sourced
Dorsal spines
No sourced

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Freshwater sourced
Substrate
Mixed bottom sourced
Origin
Native verified

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore sourced
Social behaviour
Solitary sourced
Territorial
No sourced
Activity
Diurnal sourced
Reproduction
Separate sexes sourced
Sexual dimorphism
No sourced

For anglers

Edibility
Rarely eaten sourced
Fishing method
Bodemvissen met natuurlijk aas (worm, garnaal of vis) op of vlak boven de bodem. inferred
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless sourced

Status & sources

Sources
FishBase via GBIF (DwC-A), CC-BY-NC 4.0

Same genus Acestrorhynchus

More from the family Acestrorhynchidae

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