Image 1a

Image 1b

Image 2

Image 3a

Image 3b

Image 4

Image 5

Image 6

Image 7

Image 8A

Image 8B

Image 9

Image 10a

Image 10b

Image 11a

Image 11b

Image 12

Image 13

Image 14

Image 15a

Image 15b

Image 15c

COMMENTARY ON SPECIES

I have not been able to properly place these species in the appropriate species page. Below is my best guess along with commentary by David M. Schleser:

1. Image 1a and 1b, is a Serrasalmus species collected from the Upper Amazon of Peru. I have included a new photo since its growth in this outdoor (1b) shot. This gives the viewer a better understanding of its brilliant coloration. Both species 1 & 2 present sub adults of an unknown species resembling a compressus-group member. Young ones have a vertical elongated spots on the flank above the lateral line. The pattern deepens with combo small bars and spots as the fish matures. The eye is red, but not deep. The fish in the aquarium appears to grow rapidly, unlike S. rhombeus. The species (since captivity) has become similar in appearance to Serrasalmus compressus a widespread species, usually found in the same locality as S. rhombeus. No decision has been made to move this photo to the proper bionomen until more research is completed.

2. Image 2, is a Serrasalmus species collected by David M. Schleser. Similar forms have been collected near the town of Yanashi, Peru.  According to Dave, these species is very compressed and has a  distinctive black caudal terminal band very prominent from other species. My  impression is the fish may be S. compressus.

3. Image 3a & 3b, is an unknown Pristobrycon-type collected and photographed by David M. Schleser & George Fear. According Dave, this fish was collected at the Tachshacurary river (a blackwater stream) just upstream from the village of Tacshacuraray which is located where the Tachsahcuraray empties into the Napo, Peru. Very certain S. serrulatus.

4. Image 4. Unknown species collected by George Fear, appears similar to S. aureus or perhaps S. humeralis.

5. Image 5. Unknown species. Photograph provided by Ron Nielson. Locality data on photo. May be specimen erroneously packed with export. Seems to be similar to S. maculatus.

6. Image 6. Undescribed species. Rio Amazonas, near mouth of Rio Orosa, seems similar to image 2. Probably S. compressus.

7. Image 7.  Another difficult species to identify. David Schleser thought it might be a member of the S. eigenmanni group or S. humeralis. The body is a bright silver, with small spots and elongated bars with a dark caudal fin band. Personally, I think it may be a juvenile S. compressus. 11/11/11: My assumption was correct. Species is S. compressus per conversation with D. Schleser.

8. Image 8A and 8B was collected in rio Nanay, Peru (1988) by David M. Schleser. The species resembles P. striolatus a species not recorded in Peru at the present time. This may make this species a first! M. Jégu identified a similar species (Brazil) but called it P. calmoni (see image and accompanying diagram under that species name). Some years ago, David had sent me a slide of this fish and I was of the opinion it might have been a human released specimen as he did not catch anymore since then.

9. Image 9. This fish was collected from the rio Negro. It remains undescribed and may be either S. serrulatus or S. eigenmanni.

10. Image 10a. This fish was collected in Venezuela. Its a young specimen that somewhat resembles S. eigenmanni. However, I remain uncertain it is that species or one that needs to be described. David Schleser thinks the species might represent S. humeralis. I really don't know, but it might be. But no humeral spot is present in both forms (adult and juvenile).

11. Image 10b. is from the rio Negro and may represent an adult form of 10a

12. .Image 11a & 11b. These two fish show adult and juvenile form. The smaller one resembling S. hollandi and the larger adult. Both fish collected from San Martin river, Bolivia. Based in N. Hubert preserved specimen, might be S. hollandi.

13. Image 12.  Collected in Bolivia. Resembles a compressus-group member but not as deep-bodied. Very likely S. compressus.

14. Image 13 According to Dave Schleser, locale data is Padre Cocha, a town on Rio Nanay (Blackwater) just a bit upriver from Iquitos where it joins whitewater Amazon. Water here is a mix of both types due to Amazon flooding back into the rio Nanay. Image 13 seems to fit the description of S. serrulatus.

15. Image 14. I'm still uncertain of Image 14. It's a form found mainly in the Upper Orinoco and Amazonas. It is quite possible a new species close to S. serrulatus. It too was collected by Dave Schleser. It came up in net with real Serrasalmus serrulatus near mouth of blackwater Rio Nanay.

16. Image 15a-15c. I am fortunate to show Juvenile, subadult and adult examples of an unknown Serrasalmus species. Originally thought to be S. rhombeus. The species does not have the distinctive red eye commonly found on other species of S. rhombeus. While this species is unique in appearance. Folks are cautioned not to jump to any conclusions until this species has been vetted. Special thanks to Ivan Mikolji and Daniel Caballero of Venezuela for presenting these photographs. 11/13/11 - No further information has come in. I'm left with the impression the adult fish may simply be an adult breeding Pygocentrus species (Venezuela).