Edit Piabucus dentatus
You can suggest changes to this profile. A moderator will review each change.
Name
Scientific name
Piabucus dentatus
Described by
Not recorded
Family
Characidae
Common names
Piabuco Tetra
Photograph credits
All 2 credited
Summary
The piabuco tetra, Piabucus dentatus, is a large tetra from coastal waters of northern South America, from Venezuela to the mouth of the Am…
Size and aquarium
Maximum size
130mm, standard length
Aquarium size
Minimum length 120 cm, Minimum depth 30 cm, Minimum height 30 cm
Water
Water conditions
Temperature 20–25°C, pH 6–7.5
Hardness
1–20dGH
Conductivity
Not recorded
Behaviour
Temperament
Peaceful
Social needs
A shoal or group
Community suitability
Not recorded
Where it lives
Countries, regions, rivers and lakes
Brazil, French Guiana, Guyana, Suriname, Venezuela
Writing
Etymology
Not written yet
Distribution
Widespread in coastal waters of northern South America. It's been recorded from Venezuela, Guyana, Suriname, French Guiana and Brazil, where its range extends …
Habitat
A pelagic species that inhabits low-lying coastal waters, including estuaries and floodplain streams. It's often found in turbid, silt-laden tributaries and at…
Aquarium size
Given its potential size a 120 ∗ 30 ∗ 30 cm - ~108 litres tank should be the smallest considered.
Maintenance
Will do well in a heavily-planted set-up, although soft-leaved species will probably be nibbled at. It's a predominantly surfae-dwelling species so the additio…
Water conditions
Temperature: 20 – 25 °C pH: 6.0 - 7.5 Hardness: 1 - 20°H
Diet
Gut analyses of wild fish have shown it to be a micropredator, feeding on a variety of small crustaceans, insects and other zoobenthos. It's not a fussy feeder…
Behaviour and compatibility
A peaceful enough species, but smaller tankmates may be threatened by its size and speed of movement. It's best kept with similarly-sized characins, peaceful c…
Sexual dimorphism
No data is available, although as with most tetras mature females are likely to be heavier in build than males.
Reproduction
Unreported in the hobby, although it should be possible. Given the behaviour and natural habitat of the species, it's likely to be an egg scatterer exhibiting …
Notes
There are only three species in this little known genus, all of which are rarely seen in the hobby. In 2007 an apparently undescribed Piabucus was seen on sale…
References
References
No references