Pronunciation Guide

Written by Frank Magallanes (previously 2005).

Below are a list of common scientific names found at this web site. These are not based on dictionary accuracy but an easier method to pronounce species names for the hobbyist that encounters them. The method I'm using below is common (English speaking and proper (Latinized):

1. Genus; gee nuss

2. Pygocentrus; PIE GO CENT RUSS  proper PEE GO CENT RUSS. Species: piraya (PEE RAY AH), cariba (KAH REE BAH), nattereri (NAT ER ER EYE).

3. Serrasalmus; SARAH SAL MUSS  proper  SEH RA SAL MUSS.

Species:

altispinis (AL TEE SPEN ESS)

altuvei (AL TOO VEY EYE)

auriventris (R EE VENT RESS) proper (OUR E VEN TRESS)

brandtii (BAH ANT EYE) or proper (BRAWNT EYE)

compressus (KOM PRESS USS) proper (KOM PRES SOOS)

eigenmanni  (EYE GAN MAN EYE) or proper: (EYE GUN MAN EYE)

elongatus (E LONG GAY TUSS) proper (E LONG GAT OOS)

geryi  (JER REE EYE) proper (SHER E EYE)

gibbus (GIB USS) proper (GEE BUS)

gouldingi (GOOL DING EYE)

hastatus (HAH STAHH TUSS)

hollandi (HALL AND EYE) proper (HOLE LAND EYE)

humeralis (HUUM ERR AL ESS)

irritans (ERR E TANS)

maculatus (MACK YOU LAH TUSS) proper (MACK OO LAH TOES)

manueli (MAN WELL EYE)

marginatus (MARR JEN AH TUS) proper (MARR JEN AH TOES)

medinai (MED INN EYE) proper: (MEH DEE NAH EYE)

nalseni (NELL SIN EYE)

neveriensis (NEV ERR EYE EN SIS) proper NEV EE ERR EN SEES)

nigricans (NYE GUH REE KANS) proper (NEEG REE KANS)

nigricauda (NYE RE COW DAH)

odyssei (OH DESS EYE) proper (OH DESS SAY)

rhombeus (ROM BAY USS)

sanchezi (SAN CHEZ EYE)

serrulatus (SERR OO LAY TUSS) proper (SERR OH LAH TOES)

spilopleura (SPY LOW PLUR AH)

Pristobrycon (PRESS TOE BRI CON) proper (PRIEST TOE BREE KON)

aureus (R RAY US)

calmoni (KAL MAN EYE)

careospinus (KAR REE OH SPEEN USS) proper (KAR REE OH SPEEN OSS)

maculipinnis (MACK YOU LEE PEE NEES)

striolatus (STRY OH LAY TUSS) proper (STREE OH LAH TOES)

Pygopristis (PIE GO PRIEST ESS)  proper  (PEE GO PREE TESS)

denticulatata (DEN TICK OO LAH TAH)