UNIDENTIFIED PIRANHA SPECIES

by Frank Magallanes

The following image's are species that I have not been able to place under the appropriate OPEFE species page.

COMMENTARY ON ABOVE SPECIES

 1. Image 1a and 1b, is a Serrasalmus species collected from the Upper Amazon of Peru. I have included a new photo since its growth in this outdoor (1b) shot. This gives the viewer a better understanding of its brilliant coloration. Both species 1 & 2 present sub adults of an unknown species resembling a compressus-group member. Young ones have a vertical elongated spots on the flank above the lateral line. The pattern deepens with combo small bars and spots as the fish matures. The eye is red, but not deep. The fish in the aquarium appears to grow rapidly, unlike S. rhombeus. The species (since captivity) has become similar in appearance to Serrasalmus compressus a widespread species, usually found in the same locality as S. rhombeus. No decision has been made to move this photo to the proper bionomen until more research is completed.

 2. Image 2, is a Serrasalmus species collected by David M. Schleser. Similar forms have been collected near the town of Yanahi, Peru.  According to Dave, these species is very compressed and has a  distinctive black caudal terminal band very prominent from other species. My  impression is the fish may be S. compressus.

 3. Image 3a & 3b, is an unknown Pristobrycon-type collected and photographed by David M. Schleser & George Fear. According Dave, this fish was collected at the Tachshacurary river (a blackwater stream) just upstream from the village of Tacshacuraray which is located where the Tachsahcuraray empties into the Napo, Peru. May be Pristobrycon calmoni a little known species found in two localities but not Peru where these specimens were collected. 

 4. Image 4, Unknown species collected by George Fear, appears similar to S. eigenmanni or more likely S. aureus.

 5. Image 5. Unknown species. Photograph provided by Ron Nielson. Locality data on photo. May be specimen erroneously packed with export. Seems to be similar to S. maculatus.

 6. Image 6. Undescribed species. Rio Amazonas, near mouth of Rio Orosa, seems similar to image 2. Probably S. compressus.

 7. Image 7.  Another difficult species to identify. David Schleser thought it might be a member of the S. eigenmanni group or S. humeralis. The body is a bright silver, with small spots and elongated bars with a dark caudal fin band. Personally, I think it may be a juvenile S. compressus.

 8. Image 8A and 8B was collected in rio Nanay, Peru (1988) by David M. Schleser. The species resembles P. striolatus a species not recorded in Peru at the present time. This may make this species a first! M. Jégu identified a similar species (Brazil) but called it P. calmoni (see image and accompanying diagram under that species name). Some years ago, David had sent me a slide of this fish and I was of the opinion it might have been a human released specimen as he did not catch anymore since then.

 9. Image 9. This fish was collected from the rio Negro. It remains undescribed and may be either S. serrulatus or S. eigenmanni.

10. Image 10a. This fish was collected in Venezuela. Its a young specimen that somewhat resembles S. eigenmanni. However, I remain uncertain it is that species or one that needs to be described. Image 10b. is from the rio Negro and may represent an adult form of 10a.

11. Image 11a & 11b. These two fish show adult and juvenile form. The smaller one resembling S. hollandi and the larger adult a Serrulatus-Group member. Both fish collected from San Martin river, Bolivia.

12. Image 12.  Collected in Bolivia. Resembles a compressus-group member but not as deep-bodied. 

Convex anal fin piranha issue appears to be resolved.

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UPDATE: 09/20/2007