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💧 Freshwater Least Concern 🍽️ Edible 🎣 Game Fish 🌡️ Subtropical

aquaculture, gamefish

Megaleporinus obtusidens Valenciennes, 1837
Max Length
76 cm
Max Weight
5.8 kg
Lifespan
-
Trophic Level
3.2
Depth
-
Climate
Subtropical
Resilience
Medium
Vulnerability
61.00/100
Typical Length
-
Depth Zone
-

📖 Overview

Adults inhabit medium to large rivers accomplishing very long reproductive and feeding migration in rivers of the Paraná basin . They also occur in ponds. Omnivorous . Distinct pairs breed on densely grown weedy places .

Scientific Name
Megaleporinus obtusidens
Authority
Valenciennes, 1837
Habitat
Freshwater
Climate
Subtropical
Body Shape
Elongated
IUCN Status
LC
Max Length
76 cm
Max Weight
5.8 kg
Trophic Level
3.2
Resilience
Medium
Vulnerability
61.00/100
Migration
Potamodromous
Salinity
0–0.5 ppt

🔬 Taxonomy

Genus
Megaleporinus
Megaleporinus
Species
aquaculture, gamefish
Megaleporinus obtusidens

🐟 Physical Description

Dorsal soft rays (total): 11 - 12; Anal soft rays: 10 - 11; Vertebrae: 39. Can be diagnosed from most congeners, except Leporinus amblyrhynchus, L. conirostris, L. desmotes, L. despaxi, L. elongatus, L. jatuncochi, L. macrocephalus, L. muyscorum, L. piavussu, L. reinhardti, L. trifasciatus and L. wolfei, by possessing three teeth on each premaxilla and dentary (tooth formula 3/3; vs. tooth formulae 3/4, 4/4 or 4/3). Differs from Leporinus amblyrhynchus, L. conirostris, L. desmotes, L. despaxi, L. jatuncochi, L. macrocephalus, L. muyscorum, L. reinhardti, L. trifasciatus and L. wolfei by having three dark rounded blotches on the body and dark transverse bars usually persistent in large specimens (vs. body with a dark midlateral stripe in L. amblyrhynchus, and L. despaxi; transverse dark bands in L. desmotes and L. jatuncochii; body pale except for a single dark blotch on the caudal peduncle in L. conirostris; first blotch, below the dorsal fin, transversely elongated in L. macrocephalus, L. trifasciatus and L. wolfei; transverse bars faded in large specimens of L. muyscorum; and the blotch on the caudal peduncle longitudinally elongated, not rounded, sometimes making contact with the second blotch in L. reinhardti). Can be further distinguished from Leporinus muyscorum by having six or seven scale rows between lateral line and dorsal-fin origin (vs. five); from Leporinus elongatus by having 16 scales rows around the caudal peduncle (vs. 12). Differs from a similar species Leporinus piavussu by having 41 to 43, rarely 44 perforated scales in the lateral line (vs. 39 to 40, rarely 41). Individuals of Leporinus obtusidens from the upper Rio Paraná basin can be separated from individuals of L. piavussu by having mouth directed somewhat or entirely downward, its cleft at horizontal through ventral orbital margin or slightly below (vs. mouth terminal, its cleft above horizontal through ventral orbital margin) : elongated.

🌀 Behaviour

Behavioural data for aquaculture, gamefish is currently being reviewed.

🦐 Diet

Diet information for aquaculture, gamefish is currently being compiled.

🥚 Reproduction

Size at Maturity
21.6cm TL

Distinct pairs breed on densely grown weedy places .

🌍 Habitat & Distribution

Freshwater; benthopelagic; potamodromous . Subtropical

🌿 Ecology

Zone Preferences
💧 Freshwater
Migration
Potamodromous
Trophic Level
3.2±0.17

📐 Morphometrics

Length–Weight Relationship: W = 0.01175 × L3.08 (TL)
Max TL
76cm
Max Weight
5,800g
Dorsal Rays
12
Anal Rays
11
Vertebrae
39

🌡️ Water Parameters & Tolerance

Salinity Range
0–0.5ppt

🛡️ Conservation Assessment

IUCN Category
Least Concern
Assessment Date
2020

📊 Population Risk & Fisheries

Population Resilience
Medium
Minimum doubling time
Fishing Vulnerability
61.00/100
High vulnerability
Trophic Level
3.2
Predator
Body Shape
Elongated
Climate Zone
Subtropical
Described By
Valenciennes, 1837

🍽️ Edibility & Flavour

"Megaleporinus Obtusidens is an edible species."

✗ Not for Raw
✓ Fresh Indicators
  • 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
✗ Avoid If
  • Cloudy or sunken eyes
  • Strong fishy or ammonia odour
  • Soft, mushy flesh that doesn't spring back
  • Discoloured or dry flesh
Best Cooking Methods
Baking Grilling Pan-frying

Nutrition

Per 100g cooked - Source: USDA FoodData Central

Nutrient Amount
Protein 18.6 g
Omega-3 (total) 277 mg

🔬 Mercury Safety

Mercury data for aquaculture, gamefish has not yet been assigned. Please consult FDA/EPA guidance for general seafood safety advice.

🌿 Sustainability

Best Choice
Healthy stocks, low impact
Good Alternative
Well-managed, minor concerns
Use Caution
Check sourcing and season
Avoid
Overfished or high impact

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