| Family: |
Serrasalmidae (Piranhas and pacus), subfamily: Colossomatinae |
| Max. size: |
24.2 cm SL (male/unsexed) |
| Environment: |
pelagic; freshwater |
| Distribution: |
South America: Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Peru and Venezuela (widespread across the Amazon and Orinoco river basins). |
| Diagnosis: |
Vertebrae: 36-37. This species differs from M. aureum by having the last abdominal spine reaching the anal-fin origin or almost (vs. last abdominal spine clearly separated from anal-fin origin); vertebrae 36-37 (vs. 38-39), and with a distinct black blotch on the opercle (vs. no blotch or faded on the opercle); differs from M. duriventre, M. unimaculatum by having branched anal-fin rays 31, rarely 30-38 (vs. 26-32); differs from M. unimaculatum by having circumpeduncular scales 28-36 (vs. 34-40) and perforated scales 74-99 (vs. 95-110) (Ref. 117280). |
| Biology: |
Reported to be an herbivore with tendency for omnivory, feeding on fruits, seeds and larvae of aquatic insects and commonly occurs at whitewater rivers and associated floodplain lakes and channels. Spawning period is reported to be relatively long, with two spawning peaks during the flood season. It is one of the most important species in commercial fisheries in the Brazilian Amazon (Ref. 117280). |
| IUCN Red List Status: |
Least Concern (LC); Date assessed: 05 December 2020 Ref. (130435)
|
| Threat to humans: |
harmless |
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