Brycon hilarii
| Brycon hilarii | |
|---|---|
 | |
Scientific classification  | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Actinopterygii |
| Division: | Teleostei |
| Order: | Characiformes |
| Family: | Bryconidae |
| Genus: | Brycon |
| Species: | B. hilarii |
| Binomial name | |
| Brycon hilarii (Valenciennes, 1850) | |
| Synonyms[2] | |
| |
Brycon hilarii, one of the species commonly known as piraputanga or pirapitinga,[3] is a freshwater fish inhabiting South America. The species grows to 56 cm (22 in) and 3.4 kg (7.5 lb).[4] The specific name hilarii honors the holotype's collector, Auguste de Saint-Hilaire.[5][4]
Brycon hilarii can be distinguished from the sympatric Brycon orbignyanus through counting the scales along the lateral line and caudal peduncle (more on average in B. hilarii), as well as a yellow coloration in this species compared to B. orbignyanus' silver coloration.[6]
It primarily inhabits the Paraguay and Paraná river basins,[7][8] though may also inhabit the upper Amazon basin.[1] In 2025, the species was first reported from the Uruguay River,[9] as well as the Rio Santiago, part of the Río de la Plata.[6] B. hilarii is benthopelagic,[4] and prefers clear, oxygen rich waters.[1] Evidence of gene flow suggests a migratory habit, though some populations of this species remain genetically distinct from others.[8]
Though an omnivore, Brycon hilarii eats significant amounts of seeds and fruit; Erythrina fusca is a common food item in certain areas.[10] The seeds of multiple plant species, such as Ficus spp. (figs), Gomphrena elegans, and Psidium sartorianum, may survive ingestion by these fish and then grow a significant distance away from the parent tree. This fish-borne seed dispersal (ichthyocory) is also performed by other species such as Brycon opalinus and Brycon amazonicus.[11][12] Macrophytes, along with small vertebrates and invertebrates (such as crustaceans) are also eaten by B. hilarii;[10] the apple snail Pomacea canaliculata was noted to be an important food item.[11]
Brycon hilarii is primarily valued as a foodfish, though it is also considered a gamefish and is sometimes seen in aquaria;[1] the species has been aquacultured for various purposes, such as stocking.[13][14]
References
- 1 2 3 4 Frederico, R.G. (2023). "Piraputanga". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2023 e.T49830152A85567284. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2023-1.RLTS.T49830152A85567284.en. Retrieved 2026-08-21.
- ↑ Bailly N (ed.). "Brycon hilarii (Valenciennes, 1850)". FishBase. World Register of Marine Species. Retrieved 2026-08-21.
- ↑ "Common names of Brycon hilarii". FishBase. Retrieved 21 August 2026.
- 1 2 3 "Brycon hilarii (Valenciennes, 1850)". FishBase. Retrieved 21 August 2026.
- ↑ Scharpf, Christopher. "Family BRYCONIDAE Eigenmann 1912 (Dorados or Jaw Characins)". ETYFish. Retrieved 21 August 2026.
- 1 2 "Registro mas Austral del Pira-Pita Amarillo Brycon hilarii (Characiformes: Bryconidae) en Sudamerica". BioMas. 15. 2025. ISSN 3008-914X. Retrieved 23 August 2026.
- ↑ "Peixes da planície de inundação do alto rio Paraná e áreas adjacentes: revised, annotated and updated". Neotropical Ichthyology. 16 (2). June 2018. doi:10.1590/1982-0224-20170094.
- 1 2 "Genetic characterization of Brycon hilarii (Characiformes) populations within the Pantanal: Aspects of their conservation within a globally important neotropical wetland". Journal of Ichthyology. 57. 1 July 2017. doi:10.1134/S0032945217030092.
- ↑ "New records and confirmations of freshwater fish (Teleostei, Ostariophysi) from Uruguay after flood pulses from the Paraná and Uruguay rivers". Check List. 21 (3): 618–626. June 2025. doi:10.15560/21.3.617.
- 1 2 "Caracterizaçãoda dieta deBrycon hilariiValenciennes, 1850 (Characiformes, Characidae) relacionada aos períodos hidrológicos e florestasinundáveis no Pantanal Norte, Estação Ecológica de Taiamã". Research, Society and Development. 10 (4). March 2021. doi:10.33448/rsd-v10i4.13850.
- 1 2 "Frugivory by the fish Brycon hilarii (Characidae) in western Brazil". Acta Oecologica. 35 (1): 136–141. February 2009. doi:10.1016/j.actao.2008.09.007.
- ↑ "Effectiveness of fish assemblage as seed dispersers in Amazon oligotrophic flooded forests". Austral Ecology. 49 (1). 20 April 2023. doi:10.1111/aec.13330.
- ↑ "Genetic Variability of Brycon hilarii in a Repopulation Program". Braz. arch. biol. technol. 59. 2016. doi:10.1590/1678-4324-2016160102.
- ↑ "Brycon hilarii produced in hapas: effects in allometric growth". Brazilian Journal of Biology. 83. 2023. doi:10.1590/1519-6984.275286.