Wara wara
📖 Overview
Facultative air-breathing in the genus ; Lives in the lower reaches of rivers within the limit of the brackish water and the first rapids . Very abundant in estuaries; prefers dead tree trunks and the vast zones of flooded vegetation . Also occurs on the muddy bottoms of the banks occupied by Montrichardia arborescens, moving together Loricaria cataphracta and Pimelodus blochii according to the tide. May use its stomach as an accessory breathing organ. Feeds mainly on unicellular algae and then on protozoa, rotifers, nematodes and arthropods as accessory food items .
🔬 Taxonomy
🐟 Physical Description
Physical description for Wara wara is currently being compiled.
🌀 Behaviour
Behavioural data for Wara wara is currently being reviewed.
🦐 Diet
Diet information for Wara wara is currently being compiled.
🥚 Reproduction
Reproduction data for Wara wara is currently being compiled.
🌍 Habitat & Distribution
Freshwater; brackish; demersal. Tropical South America: Guianan coastal drainages from the Oyapock River to the Suriname River.
🌿 Ecology
unicellular algae and then on protozoa, rotifers, nematodes and arthropods as accessory food items (
📐 Morphometrics
📊 Population Risk & Fisheries
🍽️ Edibility & Flavour
"Wara wara is an edible species."
- Clear, bright eyes — cloudy eyes indicate age
- Firm flesh that springs back when pressed
- Fresh ocean smell, never strong or ammonia-like
- Bright red or pink gills, not grey or brown
- Shiny, moist skin with scales tightly attached
- Cloudy or sunken eyes
- Strong fishy or ammonia odour
- Soft, mushy flesh that doesn't spring back
- Discoloured or dry flesh
⚡ Nutrition
Detailed nutritional data for Wara wara is currently being compiled from USDA FoodData Central.
🔬 Mercury Safety
Mercury data for Wara wara has not yet been assigned. Please consult FDA/EPA guidance for general seafood safety advice.
🌿 Sustainability
🌐 Names & Taxonomy
| Language | Common Names |
|---|---|
| 🇬🇧English | Wara Wara |
| 🌍CES | hypostomus břichoskvrnný |
🔍 Similar Species
🗺️ Global Occurrence Map
Occurrence records from the Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF) — 33 records indexed .
👥 Community & Contribute
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