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
Pristobryconcareospinus 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).
The
OPEFE web site and its contents; is disclaimed for purposes of Zoological
Nomenclature in accordance with the International Code of Zoological
Nomenclature, Fourth Edition, Article 8.3 and 8.4. No new names or nomenclature
changes are available from statements at this web site.
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.
