Vampire Tetra (Hydrolycus scomberoides)

From The Aquarium Wiki

Contents 1 Alternative names 1.1 Synonyms 2 Sexing 3 Origin 4 Tank compatibility 5 Diet 6 Feeding regime 7 Environment Specifics 8 Behaviour 9 Identification 10 Pictures 11 References 12 External links

Alternative names

Vampire Tetra, Sabretooth Tetra, Payara, Sabre Tooth Piranha, Vampire Piranha, Sabre Tusk Barracuda, Sabre Tooth Barracuda, Vampire Fish

Synonyms

Hydrolycus payara, Hydrolycus pectoralis

Sexing

Difficult to sex visually.

Origin

Originates from S. America including the Rio Orosa in Peru.^[1]

Tank compatibility

Should only be kept with fish of equal or larger size. Anything smaller will be eaten. May be best housed in species tanks alone to avoid injuries. Lives in loose shoals in the wild when juvenile but becomes solitary as it matures.

Diet

Predatory fish, will take most meaty foods including shrimp and silversides. In the wild they predate on other fish including Piranha. May take some time to wean on to dead food and as an adult they may become exclusively piscavorous.

Feeding regime

Feed once or twice a day.

Environment Specifics

Needs a well filtered and oxygenated tank with a strong current to thrive. Can be a messy fish so regular water changes are a must. Does not need much in the way of decor, needs plenty of open swimming space and some caves.

Behaviour

A predatory and potentially aggressive fish.

Identification

A large and elongated fish with an equally large and upturned mouth with many visible teeth. Colouration is iridescent silver with mostly transparent fins, occasionally the fins may have a black border to them.

Pictures

Close-up of teeth

References

1. ↑ Peru 2000 Fish List

External links

• Fishbase (Mirrors: )

• Seriously Fish
• Aquatic Community
• Practical Fishkeeping