Biara
Rhaphiodon vulpinus
Also known as Dogtooth characin, Chafalote, Sabertooth characin, Sabre tusk characin
FreshwaterFish
Care at a glance
- Temperature
- 73–82°F
- 23–28°C
- pH
- 5.5–7.5
- Adult size
- 31.5 in
- 80 cm
- Minimum tank
- 660 gal
- 2,500 L
- Temperament
- Mostly peaceful
- Social behavior
- Social
- Tankmates
- With caution
- Swim level
- Middle
- Difficulty
- Difficult
- Breeding
- No record
- Rarity
- Very rare
- Family
- Cynodontidae
- Origin
- Widespread in the Amazon, Orinoco, and Parana basins and rivers of Guyana.
Overview
This is a large, fast predator that needs a very big tank of a couple of thousand liters with open swimming length and a secure lid, since it jumps hard. It is not aggressive toward fish it cannot eat and often shoals, but it will swallow smaller tankmates and stresses easily when first imported. It is a specialist fish, not a community choice.
In the wild
Cruises open water in large rivers and floodplains, hunting smaller fish in midwater. Its extremely long, compressed body and upturned jaw are built for fast pursuit near the surface. It roams the channels rather than holding among cover.
Good to know
Rhaphiodon vulpinus is a very elongate predator in the family Cynodontidae, reaching around 80 cm. It has a pair of long fangs in the lower jaw and a strongly upturned mouth. The slim, silvery body is built entirely for speed.
Did you know
Its body is so long and thin, with a deeply forked tail and jutting jaw, that it looks more like a silver blade than a typical fish.
Common questions
What size tank does a Biara need?
A Biara needs at least 660 gal (2,500 L). It spends most of its time in the middle.
What temperature and pH does a Biara need?
A Biara is comfortable at 73–82°F (23–28°C) with a pH of 5.5–7.5.
How big does a Biara get?
An adult Biara reaches about 31.5 in (80 cm).
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