Gar characin (Ctenolucius hujeta)

Scientific name: Ctenolucius hujeta Valenciennes, 1850

The Gar characin (Ctenolucius hujeta) is a freshwater fish of the family Ctenoluciidae. In the aquarium it needs water at 22–25°C (72–77°F). Native range: South America, R?o Magdalena and R?o Sin? basins (northern Colombia) and rivers draining into Lago de Maracaibo in northwestern Venezuela.

Gar characin care at a glance

Temperature: 22–25°C (72–77°F)

Biology

Dorsal spines (total): 0; Dorsal soft rays (total): 10-11; Anal spines: 0; Anal soft rays: 10 - 11; Vertebrae: 42 - 46. Can be distinguished from C. beani by differences in body pigmentation, number of vertebrae, relative least depth of caudal peduncle, the alignment of the articulation between the sixth infraorbital and supraorbital, and number of lateral line scales.

Source: FishBase, licensed CC BY-NC 4.0.

Species facts

Scientific name: Ctenolucius hujeta
Family: Ctenoluciidae (Pike-characids)
Order: Characiformes (Characins)
Class: Actinopterygii (Ray-finned fishes)
Maximum length: 22.8
Environment: Freshwater;; dH range: ? - 22 pelagic
Climate: Tropical
Distribution: South America: R?o Magdalena and R?o Sin? basins (northern Colombia) and rivers draining into Lago de Maracaibo in northwestern Venezuela.
Conservation status (IUCN): Not Evaluated
Threat to humans: Harmless
Uses: Aquarium: public aquariums
Resilience: Medium, minimum population doubling time 1.4 - 4.4 years (Fec=1,000-3,000)