Edit Hydrolycus scomberoides
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Name
Scientific name
Hydrolycus scomberoides
Described by
Authority Cuvier, Year 1819
Family
Cynodontidae
Summary
The vampire tetra, Hydrolycus scomberoides, is a predatory dogtooth characin from the central and upper Amazon in Brazil, Bolivia, Peru and…
Size and aquarium
Maximum size
300mm, standard length
Tank size
Minimum length 210 cm, Minimum depth 75 cm
Water
Temperature and pH
Temperature 24–28°C, pH 6–8
Hardness
2–15dGH
Conductivity
Not recorded
Behaviour
Temperament
Peaceful
Social needs
Solitary or specimen
Community suitability
Not for a community
Where it lives
Countries
Bolivia, Brazil, Ecuador, Peru
Supporting text
Etymology
Hydrolycus: from the Greek hydro, meaning 'water', and lykos, meaning 'wolf'. scomberoides: from the Greek skombros, meaning 'tuna, mackerel', and the suffix -…
Distribution
Type locality is given simply as 'Brazil' but this species is currently understood to be widespread in the central and upper Amazon River system in Brazil, Bol…
Habitat
This species is pelagic and adults tend to be associated with flowing stretches of main river channels and larger tributaries of both white and black water riv…
Aquarium size
An aquarium with base dimensions of 210 ∗ 75 cm84 ∗ 30 in should be the absolute minimum considered.
Maintenance
The aquarium should ideally be designed to resemble a flowing stream or river with a substrate of variably-sized rocks, sand, fine gravel, and some larger wate…
Water conditions
Not written yet
Diet
An obligate but generalised piscivore capable of consuming surprisingly large prey. Newly-imported specimens often refuse to accept anything but live fishes bu…
Behaviour and compatibility
Best kept alone or with similarly-sized, non-aggressive fishes since it's actually quite peaceful with those too large to be considered food. It can also be ma…
Sexual dimorphism
Not written yet
Reproduction
Not written yet
Notes
This species may be referred to using a variety of names including 'scomb', 'sabre tooth tetra', 'sabre tusk barracuda', 'dog tooth characin, 'vampire fish', '…
References
References
3 on this profile