Serrasalmus careospinus

Serrasalmus careospinus is a species of freshwater ray-finned fish belonging to the family Serrasalmidae, which includes the pacus, piranhas and related fishes. This fish is endemic to Venezuela.

Habitat

Habits mainly in black or acidic waters in Amazonas State of Venezuela. The type locality is a lagoon near San Fernando de Atabapo in the confluence of the Atabapo and Orinoco rivers in Venezuela.

Description

This is a beautiful fish. Body discoid with the anterodorsal profile slightly curved in a "S" shape. Head robust and wide. Snout blunt. Preanal spine and ectopterygoid teeth absent. Adipose fin wide. Head silver with metallic orange to red at mandibular region. Iris red. Body with greenish laterally and mixture of orange and red at the abdominal area. Body covered with round or oval black spots. Fins bright red.

Behaviour

Predatory fish. Consuming smaller fish and attacking fins, juveniles include aquatic insects and crustaceans. Occasionally included fruits from the surrounding gallery forest. This is a solitary species. Never seen in schools.