Freshwater Barracuda | Acestrorhynchus falcatus

Characins / Characinae / Freshwater Barracuda

Profile: Freshwater Barracuda, Spotted Cachorro
Acestrorhynchus falcatusPictures SYN: Hydrogon falcatus, Xiphoramphus falcatus, Xiphorhynchus falcatus
PD: A somewhat elongated fish that has a large mouth and eyes. Its body is silver in color. The dorsal fin is located far back on the body and stands tall. Its tail is forked and has a large black spot at its base. The other fins are transparent. Sometimes a black horizontal line, that runs from the eye to the tail spot, develops.
SIZE: To 10" (25 cm)
SS: Other Acestrorhynchus species.
HAB: South America; found in the Amazon Basin and the Paraguay River watershed.
S: middle, top
TANK: 48" (122 cm) or 55 gallons (209 L) is minimal. The tank should be spacious with plenty of open swimming areas. Provide a cover of floating plants to dim the lighting. Use a tight-fitting cover as this fish is known to jump. The tank should be heavily planted.
WATER: pH 5.8-7.5 (6.9), 4-15 dH (10), 79-86°F (26-30°C)
SB: Will eat smaller fish. A schooling fish that should be either keep singly or in groups of 6 or more. If kept in groups of 2-5 fish, fighting will occur.
SC: Pimelodids, large Loricarids, Pacus, Piranhas, Silver Dollars, Arawana
FOOD: Live: mostly fish; earthworms, aquatic insects, Tubifex; pellets; chopped meat.
SEX: Females are plumper.
B: Unsuccessful in captivity
BP: 10. This fish has not been bred in captivity.
R: Little is known about these fish, even though they are frequently sold in aquarium stores. Acestrorhynchus nasutus ' is distinguishable from Acestrorhynchus falcatus by its more slender body and the absence of a black spot behind the gill cover. This species is often referred to as a "Freshwater Barracuda" because of its body form, not because of any relationship to the true marine Barracuda. An important food fish in South America.
DC: 6. A large and aggressive fish that requires a diet including live foods.