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Biara (Rhaphiodon vulpinus) — Cynodontidae

Biara

Rhaphiodon vulpinus
Family: Cynodontidae
LC · Least Concern

The Biara (Rhaphiodon vulpinus) is a freshwater fish of the family Cynodontidae that grows up to 80 cm.

Length
80 cm
Water
Freshwater
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Small groups
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Open water
Danger
Harmless
Edibility
Rarely eaten

Description

The biara is a dogtooth characin (Cynodontidae) from South America. The species has a very elongate, strongly laterally compressed, silvery body with an upturned mouth and two very long canine teeth in the lower jaw. It lives in the open water column of rivers and floodplains. It is a fast, pronounced fish-eating predator that grips prey with its long fangs. The species is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Biara?

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

Where does the Biara live?

The Biara lives in fresh water and is mostly found around open water.

How big does the Biara get?

The Biara grows to a maximum of about 80 cm.

Is the Biara dangerous to humans?

No, the Biara is harmless to humans.

Is the Biara edible?

The Biara is rarely eaten.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Vossen-hondstandzalm sourced
English name
Biara verified
Scientific name
Rhaphiodon vulpinus
Family
Cynodontidae
Other names
Biara verified

Appearance

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

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Freshwater sourced
Substrate
Open water sourced
Origin
Native sourced

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore sourced
Social behaviour
Small groups inferred
Territorial
No inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes sourced
Sexual dimorphism
No inferred

For anglers

Edibility
Rarely eaten sourced
Fishing method
Sportvissen met kunstaas of (dood/levend) aasvis door te trollen, te werpen of drijvend te vissen in open water. inferred
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless sourced

Status & sources

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

More from the family Cynodontidae

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