| Payara | |
|---|---|
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| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Actinopterygii |
| Order: | Characiformes |
| Family: | Cynodontidae |
| Genus: | Hydrolycus |
| Species: | H. scomberoides |
| Binomial name | |
| Hydrolycus scomberoides (G. Cuvier, 1819) | |
Payara, aka Hydrolycus scomberoides, is a type of gamefish. Its main habitat is located in Venezuela and in the Amazon basin. The Payara's most noticeable feature is the two long fangs protruding from its lower jaw. These fangs can be 4 to 6 inches long. Parayas grow to be around 3 feet long with an average length of 1.5 ft. It is also featured in the first season of the Animal Planet show 'River Monsters' starring Jeremy Wade who is a British biologist and professional angler.
The Payara's diet mainly consist of smaller fish; they impale other fish with their sharp teeth and consume them. Payaras also share the same habitat with butterfly peacock bass (Cichla ocellaris). In the Amazon River basin, Payaras are restricted to tributaries above the mouth of the Rio Tapajós.
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