Serrasalmus Maculatus
📖 Overview
Occurs usually in small groups of up to 20 individuals which appear to have a definite range within a pond or a creek. Observed to be active mainly during the day. Larger fish extend their foraging until about 9 at night. where it stays in the shallows near the bottom, sheltered among vegetation . Larvae and juveniles hide and feed within the root tangle of water hyacinths, which also act as a dispersal agent during floods . Larvae feed on microscopic crustaceans and small aquatic insects; very small size juveniles (about 1.2 cm) already clip fins of other fishes . Juveniles and adults feed mostly on fins and muscle portions of fishes . Adults may scavenge on dead mammals, including humans . Attacks on humans with bite outbreaks may occur in dammed portions of rivers during the breeding season, related to brood protection by the spawning adults .
🔬 Taxonomy
🐟 Physical Description
Dorsal soft rays (total): 16; Anal soft rays: 33 - 35; Vertebrae: 36. : short and / or deep; Cross section: compressed.
🌀 Behaviour
Behavioural data for Serrasalmus Maculatus is currently being reviewed.
🦐 Diet
🥚 Reproduction
🌍 Habitat & Distribution
Freshwater; pelagic. Tropical South America: Amazon and Paraguay-Paraná River basins (Ref.
🌿 Ecology
microscopic crustaceans and small aquatic insects; very small size juveniles (about 1
📐 Morphometrics
🌡️ Water Parameters & Tolerance
🛡️ Conservation Assessment
📊 Population Risk & Fisheries
⚠️ Venom Profile
- immediate intense pain
- swelling
- erythema
- occasional nausea and weakness
Analgesia; wound care; tetanus prophylaxis; severe cases may require monitoring for systemic effects.
References: Compiled from Bhide (2018), Halstead et al. (1988) and family-specific envenomation literature
🔍 Similar Species
👥 Community & Contribute
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