Biology:Pygocentrus cariba

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Short description: Species of fish

Pygocentrus cariba
Pygocentrus cariba.JPG
Scientific classification edit
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Actinopterygii
Order: Characiformes
Family: Serrasalmidae
Genus: Pygocentrus
Species:
P. cariba
Binomial name
Pygocentrus cariba
(Humboldt, 1821)

Pygocentrus cariba or black spot piranha is a species of piranha native to the Orinoco River basin lowlands and the Llanos region in Venezuela and Colombia. This species can reach a total length of 27.9 centimetres (11.0 in). It is popular as a game fish.[1]

They are a carnivorous species, that feed on a wide variety of fish, carrion, invertebrates, and other aquatic animals.

The name Cariba means cannibal in native language, and comes from the people of the Island Caribs who had a reputation as warriors who raided neighboring islands, and practiced cannibalism, according to the Spanish conquistadors. This species has very high propensity for cannibalism among its species.

References

  1. Froese, Rainer and Pauly, Daniel, eds. (2013). "Pygocentrus cariba" in FishBase. April 2013 version.

Wikidata ☰ Q141891 entry