INTRODUCTION

The body on this fish is very discoid, with the first dorsal spine erect and very high. The head is robust and wide with a bulldog like mouth. The pre-anal spine is not present. The ectopterygoid teeth are absent as well. Dorsal fin base is moderate with 2 simple rays and 15 branched rays. The adipose fin base is wide. Vertebrate 37. Numerous small scales. Pre-pelvic serrae 20, post-pelvic 10. Branched rays short at the base and modified, 25-26. Not seen, even in captivity. No information available, at this point in time, it is considered rare and not seen by anyone except science.

Since writing the above, new information has been provided by Ivan Mikolji (Venezuela). This fish dealer, photographer and explorer was able to finally photograph this elusive species under some very precarious and dangerous situations. A few times, nearly being swept away by the current of the Atabapo River, Ivan and his partner (Alipio) were able to finally find the species. This species was not only elusive, but Ivan had to navigate branches with thorns in the river.  For the complete story, read the Tropical Fish Hobbyist Magazine November 2008 article.

UPDATE: August 12, 2009; for those reading the in-depth story of P. careospinus expedition read it from the explorer's own words, by clicking here.

A special thank you to Ivan Mikolji for providing OPEFE these live photos of P. careospinus.

 DESCRIPTION

Pristobrycon careospinus is a serrasalmin with the unique combination of large dark ovate spots on the body side and no pre-anal spine. The species is based on a single example from the Laguna El. Loro, Cueca del Rio Ataba, near the population center of San Fernando de Atabapo in the State of Amazona. The specimen example appears to be a preadult. (Fink and Machado-Allison, 1992).

This species was compared with other members of genus Pristobrycon (P. striolatus and P. maculipinnis) and absence of the pre-anal spine. Nonetheless, the differences to these others are the coloration and oval spots.

LOCALITY

Pristobrycon careospinus is described from black water areas of southern Venezuela and from the Rio Atacavi. (Fink and Machado-Allison, 1992).

REFERENCES 

• MACHADO-ALLISON, Antonio and FINK, William., 1996 - Los Peces Caribes de Venezuela, Diagnosis, Claves, Aspectos Ecologicos Y Evolutivos, pg. 29-31.

• FINK, W. L. and MACHADO-ALLISON,  A. 1992 (Feb.) Three new species of piranhas from Brazil and Venezuela (Teleostei: Characiformes). Ichthyol. Explor. Freshwaters v. 3 (no. 1): 55-71.

• PROVENZANO, F., A. MARCANO and P. MONDACA   1998 (Mar.) Catálogo de ejemplares tipos en la colección de peces del Museo de Biología de la Universidad Central de Venezuela. (MBUCV-V). Acta Biol. Venez. v. 18 (no. 1): 1-24.

• MIKOLJI, Ivan, 2008, Tropical Fish Hobbyist Magazine, November Issue; Date( pending), Page (pending).

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UPDATED: 08/26/2009