| Family: |
Serrasalmidae (Piranhas and pacus), subfamily: Myleinae |
| Max. size: |
35.2 cm SL (male/unsexed) |
| Environment: |
benthopelagic; freshwater |
| Distribution: |
South America: ItacaiuÂnas River and Catete River, Tocantins-Araguaia River Basin, State of Para, Brazil. |
| Diagnosis: |
Vertebrae: 42-42. Tometes siderocarajensis can be diagnosed from all its congeners by dense pigmentation on the distalmost portion of the pelvic-fin rays or the entirety of the fin (vs. pelvic fin hyaline or pale, or with few scattered dark chromatophores along distal portion of rays). In addition, it differs from all congeners, except from T. camunani and T. kranponhah, by having more circumpeduncular scale rows 39?41 (vs. 38 or less), and from T. kranponhah and T. trilobatus by having 1st and 2nd labial premaxillary teeth laterally spaced (vs. 1st and 2nd labial premaxillary teeth with lateral contact). It is further distinguished from T. trilobatus by having more perforated lateral line scales 74±84 (vs. 58±72); from T. makue by having more spines on ventral keel 11±17 prepelvic spines and 26±33 total spines (vs. 0±9 and 10±23, respectively); and from T. lebaili by having a terminal to gently upturned mouth and invariably 5 dentary teeth (vs. a markedly upturned mouth and 6±7 dentary teeth) (Ref. 116762). |
| Biology: |
Inhabits rapids associated with rocky outcropping covered in aquatic macrophytes of the families Podostemaceae and Fabaceae, which serve as a food source for this fish. The stomach contents of one large specimen measuring 34.0 cm SL consisted mainly of large pieces of Podostemaceae (leaves and flowers), but also comprised of three small Fabaceae fruits and a cricket (Orthoptera). Occurs syntopically with three other serrasalmid, rapids-adapted species, namely, Mylesinus paucisquamatus, Myleus setiger, and Tometes ancylorhynchus. Commonly captured by local, professional and amateur fishermen in the Itacaiúnas River. One of the most in demand species for game fishing in the region based on fishermen report (Ref. 116762). |
| IUCN Red List Status: |
Not Evaluated (N.E.) Ref. (130435)
|
| Threat to humans: |
harmless |
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