Species name: Hydrolycus scomberoides
Synonym: Hydrolycus pectoralis; Cynodon pectoralis
Common name: Sabretooth tetra, Payara
Family: Characidae
Order: Characiformes
Class: Actinopterygii
Maximum size: 76 cm / 30 inches
Environment: freshwater
Origin: Amazon basin
Temperament: Predatory
Company: Hydrolycus scomberoides (Sabretooth tetra) is a predatory that can only be kept with other equally large species.
Water parameters: Temperature 24-28°C / 75-82°F; pH 6.0 – 8.0
Aquarium setup: Hydrolycus scomberoides (Sabretooth tetra) requires a large aquarium with massive filtration and a strong current to thrive. As with all large predatory fish regular water changes of 30 to 40% a week are recommended. The aquarium should be decorated with a lot of free space and a few caves.
Feeding: Hydrolycus scomberoides (Sabretooth tetra) might accept frozen food but prefers live fish and will eat anything that smaller then half it size. It might eat even bigger fishes.
Breeding: Unknown
Picture of Sabretooth tetra, Payara - Hydrolycus scomberoidesa. Copyright www.jjphoto.dk
Hydrolycus scomberoides - Sabretooth tetra, Payara. Copyright www.jjphoto.dk
