Family Erythrinidae

TRAHIRAS

INTRODUCTION

The species is similar to the American Bowfin, Amia calva. The fish is a voracious predator and when things are not to its liking it simply moves out of the water into a better feeding area. If you decide to own a Trahira, be sure you have a tight fitting lid with no opening. These fish are fantastic escape artists.

It is a small group, without economic importance (except for Giant Trahira, which is becoming rare in the Guiana). Some are predators which have become adapted to life in small brooks or ponds, where they can exist without much oxygen, thanks to accessory system which can absorb it directly from the air. At last one species is capable of retaining moisture and air for a long time and walking on the ground at night in the search for a more suitable pond than the one just abandoned.

As regards their anatomy, particularly that of the bones of the head, certain experts believe that they are exceptional among the Characiformes. They are probably the most archaic in many respects (though specialized for predation), having 5 branchiostegal rays, a cylindrical body form with a short anal fin and large scales, numerous teeth on the palate and a primitive pectoral girdle like that of the bowfin.

Occurs in diverse habitats from free flowing clear water streams, well up into the valleys, to slow turbid waters, water courses, irrigation and drainage ditches, and ponds on the plains. Rests in vegetation during the day and is active at night. Adults feed on fish; juveniles feed on crustacean and insect larvae, shrimps and other small invertebrates.

genus Erythrinus

Valid as Erythrinus;  Bory de Saint-Vincent, J. B. G. M.   1822-31 [Pisces accounts.] In: Dictionnaire Classique d'Histoire Naturelle. Vols. 1-17. Dict. Classique, 1822-31. [See Whitley 1935:136, some species descriptions not seen.]

Etymology: Greek, erythros = red

CURRENT SPECIES LIST - 2007

genus Hoplias

Replacement for *Macrodon* Müller 1842, preoccupied by *Macrodon* Schinz 1822 in fishes. Valid as *Hoplias* Gill 1903 -- (Géry 1977:102, Malabarba 1989:12, Taphorn 1992:447, Britski et al. 1999:83, Géry & Zarske 2002:43, Oyakawa in Reis et al. 2003:239

Etymology: Greek, hoplon = weapon

David M. Schleser had the following to say about this species: Hoplias caught in Rio Orosa (whitewater), although I have caught it in black and white water habitats ranging from large rivers to intermittent creeks.

CURRENT VALID SPECIES - 2007

genus Hoplerythrinus

Valid as *Hoplerythrinus* Gill 1896 -- Géry 1977:103, Géry et al. 1987, Taphorn 1992:443, Britski et al. 1999:84, Oyakawa in Reis et al. 2003:238.

Etymology; Greek, hoplon = weapon + Greek, erythros = red

David M. Schleser had this to say: Hoplerythrinus caught in a blackwater creek flowing into Rio Orosa, Peru. I have only caught this species in blackwater habitats with lots of submerged cover.

Both Erythrinus and Hoplerythrinus described below are very close to each other. The samples I have kept are easy to distinguish by their coloration and markings when young.

CURRENT VALID SPECIES - 2007

REFERENCES

1. Gill, T. N. 1903 (6 July) Note on the fish genera named Macrodon. Proc. U. S. Natl. Mus. v. 26 (no. 1349): 1015-1016.

2. Géry, J. 1977 Characoids of the world. T. F. H. Publications, Neptune City, New Jersey. Characoids World: 1-672.

3. Gill, T. N. 1896 (23 Apr.) The differential characters of characinoid and erythrinoid fishes. Proc. U. S. Natl. Mus. v. 18 (no. 1056): 205-209.

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UPDATED: 05/18/2007