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Golden pike-characin (Boulengerella lucius) — Ctenoluciidae

Golden pike-characin

Boulengerella lucius
Family: Ctenoluciidae
NE · Not Evaluated

The Golden pike-characin (Boulengerella lucius) is a freshwater fish of the family Ctenoluciidae that grows up to 43 cm.

Length
43 cm
Water
Freshwater
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Solitary
Activity
Diurnal
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Open water
Danger
Harmless
Range
Amazon and Orinoco basins
Edibility
Rarely eaten

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Description

The golden pike-characin is a slender predatory characin from the Amazon and Orinoco basins of South America. The species grows to about 43 cm and has a strongly elongate, golden to silvery body with a pointed, pike-like head and small sharp teeth. As a surface hunter it lies motionless in wait and then darts lightning-fast at small fish. The fish is harmless to humans and is a local food and aquarium fish. The IUCN has not evaluated the species.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Golden pike-characin?

The Golden pike-characin has an elongate, eel-like body, is mainly yellow-gold and shows a plain pattern. Pointed pike-like head; motionless waiting surface hunter

Where does the Golden pike-characin live?

The Golden pike-characin lives in fresh water and is mostly found around open water. Amazon and Orinoco basins

How big does the Golden pike-characin get?

The Golden pike-characin grows to a maximum of about 43 cm.

Is the Golden pike-characin dangerous to humans?

No, the Golden pike-characin is harmless to humans. This species is harmless to humans. No specific first aid is needed. Still handle the fish with care: mind the fin rays and the sharp edges of the gill cover, and rinse any scratch with clean water and cover it. For a dirty or deep wound check tetanus status.

Is the Golden pike-characin edible?

The Golden pike-characin is rarely eaten.

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All data

Identification

English name
Golden pike-characin verified
Scientific name
Boulengerella lucius
Family
Ctenoluciidae
Other names
Pirapucu verified

Appearance

Size class
Large verified
Max length (cm)
43 verified
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like) sourced
Dominant colour
Yellow / gold sourced
Pattern
Plain sourced
Tail shape
Forked
Mouth position
Superior (upward) sourced
Lips
Thin sourced
Barbels
No sourced
Dorsal fins
Two separate sourced
Dorsal spines
No sourced

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Freshwater sourced
Substrate
Open water sourced
Natural range
Amazon and Orinoco basins verified
Origin
Native verified

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore sourced
Diet (detail)
Small fishes
Social behaviour
Solitary sourced
Territorial
No sourced
Activity
Diurnal sourced
Reproduction
Separate sexes sourced
Sexual dimorphism
No sourced
Seasonality
Surface-hunting predatory characin; present year-round. sourced
Special features
Pointed pike-like head; motionless waiting surface hunter sourced

For anglers

Edibility
Rarely eaten sourced
Fishing method
Angling with lures sourced
Regulations source

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless sourced
First aid
This species is harmless to humans. No specific first aid is needed. Still handle the fish with care: mind the fin rays and the sharp edges of the gill cover, and rinse any scratch with clean water and cover it. For a dirty or deep wound check tetanus status. verified

Status & sources

Sources
FishBase via GBIF (DwC-A), CC-BY-NC 4.0

Same genus Boulengerella

More from the family Ctenoluciidae

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