North American payara (SciiFii)

The North American payara (Hydrolycus ohioensis), also known as the North American vampire fish, is a species of dogtooth tetra that originally did not exist, but has since been created by SciiFii and introduced throughout the wetlands, lakes, and rivers across North America to help boost biodiversity. The closest living relative of the North American payara is the South American payara (Hydrolycus scomberoides). The most noticeable feature the North American payara is the two long fangs protruding from its lower jaw. These are used to impale their prey, mostly smaller fish. It typically reaches a standard length of about 30 centimeters (1 feet), but can reach up to 51 cm (1.7 feet). There are reports of far larger individuals, up to 1.17 meters (3.8 feet) in total length and 17.8 kg (39 lb) in weight, based on records by IGFA, but this is a rare occurrence. The North American payara is overall silvery with a dark spot behind the opercle and another at the lower base of the pectoral fin. In adults the tail is dusky on the basal half, turning paler (more transparent) towards the tip. The conservation status of the North American payara is Least Concern due to successful conservation efforts and the North American payara's wide range.
Category:Animals
Category:Species
Category:SciiFii