Overview
Trahira are voracious predators with large mouths and very sharp canine-like teeth. Its body is dark brown or black with gray spots. The cylindrical fish large eyes and heavy scales, fins are rounded except the dorsal fin.
Taxonomy
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Chordata
- Class
- Actinopterygii
- Order
- Perciformes
- Family
- Erythrinidae
- Genus
- Hoplias
- Species
- spp.
Habitat
This South America fish occurs in the Amazon Basin, Orinoco Basin, and coastal rivers in Guyana, Suriname, and French Guiana. They occur in diverse habitats from free flowing clear water streams to slow turbid waters. Trahira prefer shallow water along shorelines amid water plants.
Diet
Fish, frogs, and insects.
Behavior
Trahira are solitary ambush predators that lie in wait among vegetation to surprise their prey, making them highly territorial and aggressive when defending their space. They are most active during dawn and dusk, often remaining still for long periods. These fish can also breathe air at the surface, allowing them to survive in low-oxygen environments.
Fishing
Anglers find the trahira to be an extremely voracious, attacking natural and artificial lures as well as flies. Noisy lures such as poppers and spinners baits seem to attract the trahira and make fishing more productive. Trahira are edible, but not highly prized because the flesh is quite bony.
Conservation Status
Listed as Not Evaluated by IUCN.