Home · Bryconidae · Tabarana
Tabarana (Salminus hilarii) — Bryconidae

Tabarana

Salminus hilarii
Family: Bryconidae

The Tabarana (Salminus hilarii) is a freshwater fish of the family Bryconidae that grows up to 50 cm.

Length
50 cm
Water
Freshwater
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Mixed bottom
Danger
Harmless
Range
South America: Argentina, Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, Venezuela

Want the complete picture on the Tabarana?

Get the app

Description

The tabarana is a predatory characiform (Bryconidae) from fresh water of river basins in South America, including the Sao Francisco and upper Parana. The species grows to about 48 cm and has a streamlined, silvery body with a golden tinge, a dark longitudinal band and a large mouth full of sharp teeth. As a fast predator it hunts smaller fish and insects in flowing rivers. It is a valued sport fish. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Tabarana?

The Tabarana has an elongate, eel-like body and is mainly silver-grey.

Where does the Tabarana live?

The Tabarana lives in fresh water and is mostly found around mixed bottom. South America: Argentina, Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, Venezuela

How big does the Tabarana get?

The Tabarana grows to a maximum of about 50 cm.

Is the Tabarana dangerous to humans?

No, the Tabarana is harmless to humans. This species is harmless to humans. No specific first aid is needed. Still handle the fish with care: mind the fin rays and the sharp edges of the gill cover, and rinse any scratch with clean water and cover it. For a dirty or deep wound check tetanus status.

Fin

Want the complete picture on the Tabarana?

Point your camera at the fish and Fin names the species in seconds. Free, and the Tabarana is one of 12,519 species in the app.

Get the app →

All data

Identification

English name
Tabarana sourced
Scientific name
Salminus hilarii
Family
Bryconidae

Appearance

Size class
Large verified
Max length (cm)
50.0 verified
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like) sourced
Dominant colour
Silver / grey sourced
Tail shape
Forked inferred

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Freshwater sourced
Substrate
Mixed bottom sourced
Natural range
South America: Argentina, Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, Venezuela sourced
Origin
Native inferred

Behaviour & biology

Territorial
No inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes inferred
Sexual dimorphism
No inferred
Seasonality
Present year-round in its habitat; no pronounced seasonality known. inferred

For anglers

Fishing method
Bottom fishing with natural bait (worm, shrimp or fish) on or just above the seabed. inferred
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless verified
First aid
This species is harmless to humans. No specific first aid is needed. Still handle the fish with care: mind the fin rays and the sharp edges of the gill cover, and rinse any scratch with clean water and cover it. For a dirty or deep wound check tetanus status. verified

Status & sources

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

Same genus Salminus

More from the family Bryconidae

Fin

Want the complete picture on the Tabarana?

Point your camera at the fish and Fin names the species in seconds. Free, and the Tabarana is one of 12,519 species in the app.

Get the app →
Is this the Tabarana? Get the app