Ctenolucius hujeta
| Ctenolucius hujeta | |
|---|---|
 | |
Scientific classification  | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Actinopterygii |
| Order: | Characiformes |
| Family: | Ctenoluciidae |
| Genus: | Ctenolucius |
| Species: | C. hujeta |
| Binomial name | |
| Ctenolucius hujeta (Valenciennes in Cuvier and Valenciennes, 1850) | |
Ctenolucius hujeta, also known as silver gar, rocket gar, hujeta gar and freshwater barracuda, is a slender, medium-sized freshwater fish found in South America, mainly Colombia, where they are known as "agujeta"; Spanish for "shoelace". Large specimens can reach 30 cm (12 in) in length. This carnivorous predator, fast yet timid, feeds mainly on small fish. Spends most of its time in the upper layer of the water, very near the surface, in small schools that tend to become smaller as individuals grow and separate.
Common in the aquarium trade, they do well in schools of 3-5 individuals. A minimum 55 gallon tank is recommended. They prefer live prey including minnows and mosquito larvae. Will eat freeze dried or frozen and thawed, especially when small, but with less gusto. Do well in community tanks with fish of similar size. Tends to leave bottom feeders alone (including smaller corydoras).
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