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 .
Dorsal soft rays (total): 16; Anal soft rays: 33 - 35; Vertebrae: 36. : short and / or deep; Cross section: compressed.
Behavioural data for Serrasalmus Maculatus is currently being reviewed.
Diet information for Serrasalmus Maculatus is currently being compiled.
Freshwater; pelagic. Tropical South America: Amazon and Paraguay-Paraná River basins (Ref.
microscopic crustaceans and small aquatic insects; very small size juveniles (about 1
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