Designed by Paul Smith 2006. This website is copyrighted by law. Material contained herewith may not be used without the prior written permission of FAUNA Paraguay. Photographs on this web-site were taken by Paul Smith, Hemme Batjes, Regis Nossent,
Alberto Esquivel, Arne Lesterhuis, Rebbeca Zarza, José Luis Cartes and Hugo del Castillo and are used with their permission.
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FIGURE 1 - Pantanal Pike Characin Acestrorhynchus pantaneiro - Buffalo Bill´s, Departamento Presidente Hayes (Paul Smith October 2007).
ACESTRORHYNCHIDAE - PIKE CHARACINS
This family consists of a single genus of generally similar species, known collectively in Paraguay as Pira Yagua or "Dog Fish". Superficially pike-like in appearance they have long jaws lined with razor-sharp teeth, a feature which earns then the name "freshwater barracudas" in the aquarium trade and which contributes to their family name - which translates roughly as "needle jaw". Pike Characins are predators of other fish.
