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Shortmouth pike characin (Oligosarcus brevioris) — Characidae

Shortmouth pike characin

Oligosarcus brevioris
Family: Characidae

The Shortmouth pike characin (Oligosarcus brevioris) is a freshwater fish of the family Characidae that grows up to 28 cm.

Length
28 cm
Water
Freshwater
Diet
Omnivore
Behaviour
Schooling
Activity
Diurnal
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped
Substrate
Open water
Danger
Harmless

Description

The shortmouth pike characin is a South American characin (Characidae) from fresh water of coastal rivers of southern Brazil. The species grows to about 15 cm and has an elongate, silvery, streamlined body with a fairly large mouth full of sharp teeth. As a fast, schooling predator it hunts smaller fish and insects in clear rivers and lakes. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Shortmouth pike characin?

The Shortmouth pike characin has a torpedo-shaped body and is mainly silver-grey.

Where does the Shortmouth pike characin live?

The Shortmouth pike characin lives in fresh water and is mostly found around open water.

How big does the Shortmouth pike characin get?

The Shortmouth pike characin grows to a maximum of about 28 cm.

Is the Shortmouth pike characin dangerous to humans?

No, the Shortmouth pike characin is harmless to humans.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Kortbek-roofzalm sourced
English name
Shortmouth pike characin sourced
Scientific name
Oligosarcus brevioris
Family
Characidae

Appearance

Size class
Medium verified
Max length (cm)
28.0 verified
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
Silver / grey sourced
Tail shape
Forked inferred

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Freshwater sourced
Substrate
Open water sourced
Origin
Native inferred

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Omnivore inferred
Social behaviour
Schooling sourced
Territorial
No inferred
Activity
Diurnal inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes inferred
Sexual dimorphism
No inferred

For anglers

Fishing method
Te vangen met natuurlijk aas of kunstaas, afgestemd op de grootte en het leefgebied van de soort. inferred
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless verified

Status & sources

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

Same genus Oligosarcus

More from the family Characidae

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