Sabertooth Characin

Distribution:
   The Sabertooth Characin, also known as Payara, was described by Jardine & Schomburgk in 1841. They are found throughout the eastern and central portions of the Amazon River basin in South America as well as in the Rio Orinoco and Essequibo River in Guyana. The waters are clean and fast flowing and they are often found in schools.

Status:
   The species is not listed on the IUCN Red List.

Description:
   The Sabertooth Characin has an elongated body that is streamlined and very powerful. It is an iridescent silver fish with fins are semi-transparent, tinged with black towards the outer portions, and sometimes spotted with white. They have a large upturned mouth full of needle sharp teeth and two long fangs on the lower jaw. The fangs are so long that there are holes in the upper jaw for them to fit into.
   It is almost identical in appearance to its close relative known as the Vampire Characin Hydrolycus scomberoides, but the Vampire is almost twice as large. It can also be distinguished from its cousin by a small dark spot on its gill cover that is oblique in shape, while the same marking on H. scomberoides is more circular in shape.

Size - Weight:
   Maximum length is about 2 feet (60 cm).

Care and feeding:
   The Payara are carnivorous piscivores. They only eat live foods, they love fish and preferably live ones. Appropriate aquarium fare includes live foods such as feeder fish, earthworms, and river shrimps. These fish could probably be trained to eat whole dead fish, such as frozen silversides and lancefish, but this has not been confirmed.
   A Sabertooth Characin needs a large home. To keep one as a pet, you will need to provide a tank of 200 gallons or more with a better than average filter system. Excellent water quality is a must, and it must be very well oxygenated. Weekly water changes of 30 - 40% are recommended. Provide a decor that has some caves, but these are very active fish and will need a great deal of open area for swimming. They frighten easily, so be careful not to make any quick movements when around their tank. Payara have been known to fatally injure themselves by swimming into the sides of the aquarium when disturbed. They are also excellent jumpers, so be sure to have a tight fitting lid.

Water Region: Top, Middle, Bottom:
   They will swim near the middle of the tank.

Acceptable Water Conditions:
  Temp: 75 - 82° F (24 - 28° C)
   Ph: 6.0 to 8.0

Social Behaviors:
   In the wild the Payara is often seen in groups, but in captivity they tend to become belligerent towards their con specifics when kept in small groups. Ideal situations would be a school of six or more in a very, very large space or to keep them singly.
   They can become aggressive and have been known to attack fish that were too large for them to eat. Other very large fish may survive with them, such as a calm armored catfish, but they are best kept singly. There are some drawbacks to keeping them singly though, they can become nervous, especially if there is any quick movements around the tank. Swimming frantically and possibly damaging themselves can be the result.
   The Sabertooth Characin does not do well in a crowded situation, and won't survive unless it has plenty of room. Even though other large fish such as a Pacu or large catfish will probably be able to survive with it, the Sabertooth will do best kept in alone in a single specimen tank, or again, in a very, very large environment as a school.

Sexual Differences:
  Unknown.

Breeding/Reproduction:
   This fish has never been bred in captivity.See the general description of how to breed Characins in Breeding Freshwater Fish.

Availability:
   The Sabertooth Characin are occasionally available, but they do take up a lot of space when shipped from South America, which makes shipping costs high. So if you are lucky enough to find one for sale, the price will be high.
   Before you purchase this species, be sure to check with the Fish and Game Department or other environmental authorities in your area to be certain that you can keep one of these fish. In certain states they are banned from public and /or private possession, Texas being one. Most likely this is due to concerns that people may unwittingly release them into native waters.

Author: Clarice Brough, CFS