
Also known as:
Payara
Pirandira
Dracula Fish
Common Group Name:
Dogtooth Characins
Family Name:
Cynodontidae
Genus Name:
Hydrolycus
Species Name:
Hydrolycus armatus
Dispatch Method:
Beware of the sharp teeth of vampire fish when handling them. The eating qualities of these fish can be greatly improved if they are killed humanely by iki jime or a firm knock to the head before placing them in an ice slurry after bleeding.
Fish Description:
- Vampire Fish are laterally compressed, bright silver in colour with an olive back and an orange and black tail.
- This species has two very distinctive over-sized canine teeth in the bottom jaw that are concealed inside receiving grooves in the upper jaw when the mouth is closed.
Fish Distribution:
- The Vampire Fish is endemic to the Amazon and Orinoco River Basins as well as rivers in Guyana in South America.
Fish Size Common Length:
Common between 40 and 70 cm, maximum size around 110 cm and 18 kg.