Hydrolycus tatauaia facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Hydrolycus tatauaia |
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Hydrolycus tatauaia is a very interesting fish found in the big rivers of South America. It's often called the "vampire fish" or "payara" because of its long, sharp teeth! This fish lives in the Amazon, Orinoco, and Essequibo river systems, which are huge rivers in tropical South America. Adult payara usually live in parts of the river that are deep or have fast-moving water.
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Meet the Payara
The payara is a type of fish known as a dogtooth characin. This name comes from its unique teeth, which are long and pointed, much like a dog's canine teeth. These special teeth help the payara catch its food.
Where the Payara Lives
Payara live in the warm, tropical waters of South America. They are found in the large river basins of the Amazon, Orinoco, and Essequibo. These fish are also migratory, which means they travel long distances. From November to April, they swim upstream, against the current, to special areas where they can breed and lay their eggs.
What the Payara Looks Like
The payara has a sleek, silvery body and head. It has a distinct dark spot behind its gill cover, which is shaped like a tall oval. One of its most striking features is its tail, which can be reddish or orange. In fact, the name tatauaia comes from an old South American language called Tupi, and it means "fire tail" because of its bright color! This fish can grow quite large, reaching up to about 59 centimeters (nearly 2 feet) long and weighing around 2.7 kilograms (about 6 pounds).
How the Payara Hunts
Like other fish in the Hydrolycus family, the payara is a skilled hunter. It uses its long, pointed canine teeth to spear its prey. It mainly eats smaller fish, catching them quickly in the fast-moving water where it lives.
Payara as a Pet
Sometimes, payara are kept as pets in aquariums. However, they are not easy pets to have. Because they grow so large and need a lot of space to swim, they require a very, very big fish tank. Only experienced fish keepers with huge tanks can properly care for a payara.
