Edit Rhaphiodon vulpinus

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Name

Scientific name

Rhaphiodon vulpinus

Described by

Authority Spix & Agassiz, Year 1829

Family

Cynodontidae

Common names

Biara

Photograph credits

All 5 credited

Summary

The biara, Rhaphiodon vulpinus, is a dogtooth characin found from the Orinoco and Amazon basins south to the Río de la Plata in Argentina. …

Size and aquarium

Maximum size

800mm, standard length

Aquarium size

Not recorded

Water

Water conditions

Temperature 24–28°C, pH 6–8

Hardness

2–15dGH

Conductivity

Not recorded

Behaviour

Temperament

Not recorded

Community suitability

Not for a community

Where it lives

Countries, regions, rivers and lakes

Argentina, Brazil, Ecuador, Guyana, Paraguay, Peru, Uruguay, Venezuela, Amazon, Capim, de la Plata, Essequibo, Negro, Orinoco, Paraguay, Paraná, Rupununi, Solimões, Tocantins, Ucayali, Uruguay, Xingu

Writing

Etymology

Rhaphiodon: from the Greek rhaphis, meaning 'needle', and odous, meaning 'tooth'. vulpinus: from the Latin vulpinus, meaning 'fox'.

Distribution

R. vulpinus is the most widely-distributed member of the family Cynodontidae. Type locality is given simply as 'Brazilian rivers', but this species is currentl…

Habitat

Occurs in both main river channels and some reservoirs, with fluvial populations undergoing annual reproductive migrations.

Aquarium size

Suitable only for public installations or the very largest private aquaria.

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…

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 water-worn boulders.

This can be further furnished with driftwood roots and branches if you wish but be sure to leave plenty of open swimming space.

Like many fishes that naturally inhabit running waters it’s intolerant to the accumulation of organic wastes and requires spotless water at all times in order to thrive.

It also does best if there is a high proportion of dissolved oxygen and moderate degree of water movement so external filters, powerheads, airstones, etc., should be employed as necessary.

As stable water conditions are obligatory for its well-being this fish should never be added to biologically-immature aquaria and weekly water changes of 30-50% aquarium volume should be considered mandatory.

A tightly-fitting cover is essential as this species is a prodigious jumper, and it may also prove beneficial to cover the back and sides of the aquarium in order to reduce the chances of it swimming into the glass since it can be skittish, especially in confined surroundings.

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Where does this come from?

My own experienceFor example, I've kept twelve in a planted 60 cm tank since March 2024.A website I sawFor example, an IUCN Red List assessment, a museum catalogue or a FishBase page.A paperFor example, Marshall et al. (2011), Water temperature differences in interfluvial palm swamp habitats of Paracheirodon axelrodi and P. simulans.A book, or something not onlineFor example, Tappin (2010), Rainbowfishes: their care and keeping in captivity.Something already on the pageFor example, the Behaviour and compatibility section already says this.

Web address

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DOI

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Title

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Authors

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Year

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Pages

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Anything worth adding

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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 it cannot fit into its mouth since it's otherwise quite peaceful and easily-dominated. It can a…

Sexual dimorphism

Not written yet

Reproduction

This species is reproductively active between the months of September/October to January/April, this period coinciding with high water levels across much of it…

Notes

R. vulpinus is currently the only member of its genus and probably should not be considered a home aquarium subject at all given its eventual size and natural …

References

3 on this profile

Name

Scientific name

Described by

Family

Common names

Photograph credits

Summary

Size and aquarium

Maximum size

Aquarium size

Water

Water conditions

Hardness

Conductivity

Behaviour

Temperament

Social needs

Community suitability

Where it lives

Countries, regions, rivers and lakes

Writing

Etymology

Distribution

Habitat

Aquarium size

Maintenance

Water conditions

Diet

Behaviour and compatibility

Sexual dimorphism

Reproduction

Notes

References

References