Myleus
| Myleus | |
|---|---|
| Myleus sp. | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Actinopterygii |
| Order: | Characiformes |
| Family: | Serrasalmidae |
| Subfamily: | Myleinae |
| Genus: | Myleus J. P. Müller & Troschel, 1844 |
| Type species | |
| Myleus setiger J. P. Müller & Troschel, 1844
| |
Myleus is a genus of serrasalmids from South America, where found in the Amazon, Orinoco and São Francisco basins, as well as the river basin of the Guiana Shield.[1] They are found in rivers with moderately or fast-flowing water, including rapids.[2] They are primarily herbivores, but also take some animal matter.[2] Depending on the exact species, they reach up to 12–42 cm (0.4–1.4 ft) in standard length, and the adult males have a double-lobed anal fin and filamentous extensions on the dorsal fin.[2] Their strong teeth means that larger individuals can inflict severe bites on humans.
Species
There are currently 6 recognized species of Myleus:[3]
- Myleus altipinnis (Valenciennes, 1850)
- Myleus knerii (Steindachner, 1881)
- Myleus micans (Lütken, 1875)
- Myleus pachyodus Andrade, Jégu, Buckup & Netto-Ferreira, 2018
- Myleus planquettei (Jégu, Keith & Le Bail, 2003)
- Myleus setiger J. P. Müller & Troschel, 1844
References
- ^ Ota, R.P.; Röpke, C.P.; Zuanon, J.; Jégu, M. (2013). "Serrasalmidae". In Queiroz, L.J.; Torrente-Vilara, G.; Ohara, W.M.; Pires, T.H.S.; Zuanon, J.; Doria, C.R.C. (eds.). Peixes do rio Madeira. Vol. II. São Paulo: Santo Antonio Energia. pp. 12–47.
- ^ a b c van der Sleen, P.; J.S. Albert, eds. (2017). Field Guide to the Fishes of the Amazon, Orinoco, and Guianas. Princeton University Press. p. 185. ISBN 978-0691170749.
- ^ Fricke, Ron; Eschmeyer, William N. & van der Laan, Richard (eds.). "Species in the genus Myleus". Catalog of Fishes. California Academy of Sciences. Retrieved 15 February 2026.