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Genus

Acestrorhynchus

Species
6
Photographed
6 of 6
Difficulty rated
6 of 6
This is one of four species in the genus to possess a dark, roughly circular humeral spot.

Acestrorhynchus altusRed Barracuda Tetra

Menezes, 1969

Max length
233mm SL9in SL
Tank
250 × 90cm98 × 36in
Temp
22–28°C72–82°F
pH
6.0–7.5

This species is not normally aggressive towards conspecifics with juveniles in particular exhibiting a marked schooling instinct. Older individuals tend to be more solitary but still group together from time-to-time, and it's best maintained in numbers of four or more. One important point to note is that acestrorhynchids are can...

Moderate
Subadult in the aquarium.

Acestrorhynchus falcatusRed-Tailed Freshwater Barracuda

Bloch, 1794

Max length
275mm SL11in SL
Tank
250 × 90cm98 × 36in
Temp
22–28°C72–82°F
pH
6.0–7.5

The vernacular name of this fish is derived from its appearance and behaviour, rather than a genetic association with the marine barracuda, and it's also sometimes referred to as 'pike characin' or 'spotted cachorro' with local vernacular names including 'Grand dent-chien' (French Guiana), ' Cachorrinho' or 'Ueua' (Brazil). Although most species of Acestrorhynchus appear superficially similar to one another most exhibit distinguishable external chara...

Moderate
Subadults/adult specimens of this species lack the two distinct longitudinal body stripes...

Acestrorhynchus falcirostrisBig-Eyed Cachorro

Cuvier, 1819

Max length
350mm SL14in SL
Tank
250 × 90cm98 × 36in
Temp
22–28°C72–82°F
pH
6.0–7.5

This species is a member of the putative A. nasutus group of closely-related species within the genus alongside A. nasutus, A. maculipinna and A. isalineae. These are characterised by possession of two dark, longitudinal stripes, one running from the tip of the snout to the base and the other from the posterior edge of the lower maxilla to the underside of the caudal peduncle.

Moderate
This species is very rare in the hobby...

Acestrorhynchus isalineaeStriped Barracuda Tetra

Menezes & Géry, 1983

Max length
105mm SL4in SL
Tank
120 × 45cm48 × 18in
Temp
24–28°C75–82°F
pH
6.0–7.5

This species is a member of the putative A. nasutus group of closely-related species within the genus alongside A. nasutus, A. maculipinna and A. isalineae. These are all characterised by possession of two dark, longitudinal stripes, one running from the tip of the snout to the base and the other from the posterior edge of the lower maxilla to the underside of the caudal peduncle.

Moderate
Subadult specimen...

Acestrorhynchus microlepisPike Tetra

Jardine, 1841

Max length
260mm SL10in SL
Tank
250 × 90cm98 × 36in
Temp
22–28°C72–82°F
pH
6.0–7.5

An obligate piscivore capable of consuming quite large prey in relation to its body size although it tends to focus on smaller prey such as tetras and related species. Newly-imported specimens may refuse to accept anything but live fishes although most can be weaned onto dead alternatives once they recognise them as edible, and some even learn to accept dried foods.

Moderate
Adult female specimen.

Acestrorhynchus pantaneiroPantanal Barracuda Tetra

Menezes, 1992

Max length
240mm SL9in SL
Tank
250 × 90cm98 × 36in
Temp
22–28°C72–82°F
pH
6.0–7.5

An obligate piscivore capable of consuming surprisingly surprisingly large prey. Newly-imported specimens may refuse to accept anything but live fishes although most can be weaned onto dead alternatives once they recognise them as edible, and some even learn to accept dried foods- Like the vast majority of predatory fishes this specie...

Moderate