ANIMALS – FISHES – CHARACINS – RED-BELLIED PIRANHA (PYGOCENTRUS NATTERERI)

Animals - Fishes - Catfishes

Red-bellied piranha (Pygocentrus nattereri)

Scientific Classification:

Kingdom : Animalia
Phylum : Chordata
Class : Actinopterygii
Order : Characiformes
Family : Serrasalmidae
Genus : Pygocentrus
Species : P. Nattereri

Description:

The Red-bellied piranha or Red piranha (Pygocentrus nattereri) is a species of piranha native to South America, found in the Amazon River Basin, coastal rivers of northeastern Brazil, and the basins of the Paraguay and Paraná. They are omnivorous foragers and feed on insects, worms, crustaceans and fish. They are not a migratory species, but do travel to seek out conditions conducive to breeding and spawning during periods of increased rainfall. Red-bellied piranhas often travel in shoals as a predatory defense, but rarely exhibit group hunting behavior. Acoustic communication is common, and is sometimes exhibited along with aggressive behaviors. At this time, the red-bellied piranha is not considered to be a threatened species by the IUCN, and therefore, there are no conservation strategies in place to target this species. Through media influence, the red-bellied piranha has developed a reputation as a ferocious predator, though this is not actually the case. They are a popular aquarium fish.

The red-bellied piranha belongs to the subfamily Serrasalminae, which is a group of medium to large-sized characids and includes other closely related omnivores such as pacus. They are characterized by deep, lateral compressed bodies and long dorsal fins. Within the subfamily, red-bellied piranhas are classified in the genus Pygocentrus, which is distinguished by the unusual dentition and differing head width dimensions. The red-bellied piranha is considered to be highly carnivorous, while most non-piranhas in the family are primarily herbivorous. However, it should be noted that red-bellied piranha is actually omnivorous.

The red-bellied piranha has a popular reputation as a ferocious predator, despite being primarily a scavenger. As their name suggests, red-bellied piranhas have a reddish tinge to the belly when fully grown, although juveniles are a silver color with darker spots. The rest of the body is often gray with silver-flecked scales. Sometimes, blackish spots appear behind the gills and the anal fin is usually black at the base. The pectoral and pelvic fins may vary from red to orange. Females can be distinguished from males by the slightly deeper red color of their bellies.

The largest measured individuals were around 50 centimetres (20 in) in length and weighed around 3.9 kilograms (8.6 lb).

Binomial Name:

Name : Pygocentrus nattereri
Taxonomist : Rudolf Kner (Linz - Austria)
Year : 1858
Subspecies : None, or not data available
Synonyms : Serrasalmus nattereri

Conservation Status by IUCN:

Status : Not Evaluated, or not data available

Philatelic Issues

2005 – Uruguay – Stamp 4 of 4, from River Fishes Series

Issue information:

Country: Uruguay
Date: November 22nd, 2005
Printed: 15.000 Copies
Type: Stamp from Series of 4 Stamps
Value: UYP 16

Stamp: Rectangular
Size: 39 mm. x 27 mm.
Perforation: Circular
Gum: Water Activated

ANIMALS – FISHES – CHARACINS – TIGER FISH (HOPLIAS MALABARICUS)

Animals - Fishes - Catfishes

Tiger Fish (Hoplias malabaricus)

Scientific Classification:

Kingdom : Animalia
Phylum : Chordata
Class : Actinopterygii
Order : Characiformes
Family : Erythrinidae
Genus : Hoplias
Species : H. Malabaricus

Description:

Hoplias malabaricus, also known as the Wolf Fish, Tiger Fish or Trahira, is a predatory Central and South American freshwater ray finned fish of the Characin family Erythrinidae.

The maximum length for this species is 55 cm and the maximum weight is 7.97 kg.

Like other members of the genus Hoplias this species has a cylindrical body shape with a large mouth equipped with prominent teeth. The dog-like teeth have given it some of its common names. Coloration is highly variable but is usually grey-brown with darker vertical stripes or a single horizontal stripe.

Found in most river systems in the following countries: Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Costa Rica, Ecuador, French Guiana, Guyana, Paraguay, Peru, Suriname, Trinidad and Tobago, Uruguay and Venezuela.

Occurs in a wide range of freshwater habitats from clear, fast flowing, upland streams, to the slow turbid lowland waters, canals, irrigation and drainage ditches, and ponds and other still waters. Spends the daylight hours resting in vegetation and is most active during the night. Adults are ambush predators of fish; while juveniles prey consists of crustacean and other invertebrate prey. This species spawns in pits located in shallow water and the males guard the nests even after the eggs have hatched.

Binomial Name:

Name : Hoplias malabaricus
Taxonomist : Marcus Elieser Bloch (Ansbach - Germany)
Year : 1794
Subspecies : None, or not data available
Synonyms : None, or not data available

Conservation Status by IUCN:

Status : Not Evaluated, or not data available

Philatelic Issues

2005 – Uruguay – Stamp 3 of 4, from River Fishes Series

Issue information:

Country: Uruguay
Date: November 22nd, 2005
Printed: 15.000 Copies
Type: Stamp from Series of 4 Stamps
Value: UYP 16

Stamp: Rectangular
Size: 39 mm. x 27 mm.
Perforation: Circular
Gum: Water Activated

ANIMALS – FISHES – SILVERSIDES – ARGENTINIAN SILVERSIDE (ODONTESTHES BONARIENSIS)

Animals - Fishes - Silversides

Argentinian silverside (Odontesthes bonariensis)

Scientific Classification:

Kingdom : Animalia
Phylum : Chordata
Class : Actinopterygii
Order : Atheriniformes
Family : Atherinopsidae
Genus : Odontesthes
Species : O. Bonariensis

Description:

The Argentinian silverside (Odontesthes bonariensis) is a species of bony fish of the family Atherinopsidae, that is found in the southern area of the Plata Basin.

It is a species found in coastal waters of southern Brazil, northern Argentina and Uruguay, in the rivers: Rio de la Plata, Rio Tercero, Parana, Uruguay, and Tramandai.

It is a fast fish slightly compressed, fusiform body, has a silvery color with two longitudinal bands darker, marked ventral curve, strong head, bone at the top, protráctil mouth; two flaps on the back (a small first with flexible radios, the second longest and flexible radio), ventral fins without spines or saws. Silver color and something shiny bluish flank stripe. The tail is fork-shaped. He lives mostly in schools.

With rapid growth, is one of the largest in adulthood; some specimens have reached 60 cm. long and 20 cm thick, and 3 kg, but the average size is smaller, 40 cm to 800 grams. Its high reproduction rate, the quality of its meat, indicate it as important for intensive and extensive crop species.

Binomial Name:

Name : Odontesthes bonariensis
Taxonomist : Achille Valenciennes (Paris - France)
Year : 1835
Subspecies : None, or not data available
Synonyms : None, or not data available

Conservation Status by IUCN:

Status : Near-threatened species

A Near-threatened species is a species which has been categorized as "Near Threatened" (NT) by the International Union for Conservation of Nature as that may be considered threatened with extinction in the near future, although it does not currently qualify for the threatened status. The IUCN notes the importance of re-evaluating near-threatened taxa at appropriate intervals.

Philatelic Issues

2005 – Uruguay – Stamp 2 of 4, from River Fishes Series

Issue information:

Country: Uruguay
Date: November 22nd, 2005
Printed: 15.000 Copies
Type: Stamp from Series of 4 Stamps
Value: UYP 16

Stamp: Rectangular
Size: 39 mm. x 27 mm.
Perforation: Circular
Gum: Water Activated

ANIMALS – FISHES – CATFISHES – TOAD CATFISH (RHAMDIA QUELEN)

Animals - Fishes - Catfishes

Toad Catfish (Rhamdia quelen)

Scientific Classification:

Kingdom : Animalia
Phylum : Chordata
Class : Actinopterygii
Order : Sluriformes
Family : Heptapteridae
Genus : Rhamdia
Species : R. Quelen

Description:

The Toad Catfish, Black catfish or Jundiá (Rhamdia quelen) is a species of fish in Heptapteridae family. It is endemic to central Argentina, southeastern Brazil and Uruguay.

It has wide body, low, without scales, depressed head, small eyes, wide mouth of jaws, no teeth; no thorn in the fins, strong dorsal fin and short radios. Maxillary barbels have sensory function.

The male reaches 35 cm and published maximum weight was 4.02 kg

It is a benthopelagic fish, freshwater; with a range of depth between 0-3 m; tropical climates. It has little commercial value.

It is found in Central and South America, from Mexico to central Argentina.

Binomial Name:

Name : Rhamdia quelen
Taxonomist : Jean René Constant Quoy (Maillé - France) & Joseph Paul Gaimard (Saint-Zacharie - France)
Year : 1824
Subspecies : None, or not data available
Synonyms : Rhamdella gilli, Rhamdia gilli

Conservation Status by IUCN:

Status : Not Evaluated, or not data available

Philatelic Issues

2005 – Uruguay – Stamp 1 of 4, from River Fishes Series

Issue information:

Country: Uruguay
Date: November 22nd, 2005
Printed: 15.000 Copies
Type: Stamp from Series of 4 Stamps
Value: UYP 16

Stamp: Rectangular
Size: 39 mm. x 27 mm.
Perforation: Circular
Gum: Water Activated

ANIMALS – FISHES – STURGEONS – RUSSIAN STURGEON (ACIPENSER GUELDENSTAEDTII)

Animals - Fishes - Sturgeons

Russian sturgeon (Acipenser gueldenstaedtii)

Scientific Classification:

Kingdom : Animalia
Phylum : Chordata
Class : Actinopterygii
Order : Acipenseriformes
Family : Acipenseridae
Genus : Acipenser
Species : A. Gueldenstaedtii

Description:

The Russian sturgeon (Acipenser gueldenstaedtii), also known as the diamond sturgeon or Danube sturgeon, is a species of fish in the Acipenseridae family. It is found in Azerbaijan, Bulgaria, Georgia, Iran, Kazakhstan, Romania, Russia, Turkey, Turkmenistan, and Ukraine. It is also found in the Caspian Sea. This fish can grow up to about 235 cm (93 in) and weigh 115 kg (254 lb). Russian sturgeon mature and reproduce slowly, making them highly vulnerable to fishing. It is distinguished from other Acipenser species by its short snout with a rounded tip as well as its lower lip which is interrupted at its center.

The Russian sturgeon can grow to 210 cm (83 in) but a more normal size is 110 to 140 cm (43 to 55 in). It has a relatively short and rounded snout with three pairs of unfringed barbels closer to the tip of the snout that to the mouth. The dorsal fin has 27 to 48 soft rays and the anal fin has 16 to 35. The number of scales along the lateral line varies from 21 to 50. This fish can be distinguished from the otherwise similar starry sturgeon by the shape of its snout, its barbels and scale arrangement. The upper surface is greyish-green, the lateral scales are pale and the belly white.

The Russian sturgeon is native to the Black Sea, the Sea of Azov and the Caspian Sea. It is an anadromous fish and moves into the river systems that drain into these seas in order to make its way to spawning areas upstream. It is usually found near the bottom in fairly shallow water over sandy or muddy substrates.

The Russian sturgeon feeds on crustaceans, molluscs and small fishes such as gobies, anchovies and sprats. It is solitary when in the sea but becomes gregarious as it moves up-river in April, May and June to spawn.

Binomial Name:

Name : Acipenser gueldenstaedtii
Taxonomist : Johann Friedrich von Brandt (Jüterbog - Germany) and Julius Theodor Christian Ratzeburg (Berlin - Germany)
Year : 1833
Subspecies : None or not data available
Synonyms : None or not data available

Conservation Status by IUCN:

Status : Critically endangered

A Critically Endangered (CR) species is one which has been categorized by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) as facing a very high risk of extinction in the wild.[1] It is the highest risk category assigned by the IUCN Red List for wild species.

Philatelic Issues

2009 – Uruguay – Unique Stamp, from Mercosur Series

Issue information:

Country: Uruguay
Date: September 30th, 2009
Printed: 15.000 Copies
Type: Unique Stamp from Series
Value: UYP 37

Stamp: Rectangular
Size: 39 mm. x 27 mm.
Perforation: Circular
Gum: Water Activated