Pike characin

Pike characin
	Acestrorhynchus microlepis
Conservation status
	; Least Concern (IUCN 3.1)
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Chordata
Class:	Actinopterygii
Order:	Characiformes
Family:	Acestrorhynchidae
Genus:	Acestrorhynchus
Species:	A. microlepis
Binomial name
	Acestrorhynchus microlepis; (Jardine, 1841)
Synonyms
	Hydrocyon microlepis Jardine, 1841 ; Acestrorhynchus cachorro Fowler, 1940 ; Acestrorhynchus guianensis Menezes, 1969 ; Acestrorhynchus apurensis Toledo-Piza & Menezes, 1996 ;

The pike characin (Acestrorhynchus microlepis) is a species of freshwater ray-finned fish belonging to the family Acestrorhynchidae, the freshwater barracudas.^[3] It was described by Sir William Jardine, 7th Baronet in 1841, originally under the genus Hydrocyon.^[2] It inhabits the Orinoco and Amazon Rivers and the regions of Suriname, Guyana and French Guiana, at a pH range of 5.5-6.5. It reaches a maximum total length of 37 cm (15 in), and a maximum weight of 230 g (8.1 oz).^[3]

Quick facts Conservation status, Scientific classification ...

The pike characin feeds on bony fish. It is marketed for the aquarium hobby.^[3]

References