3 replies to this topic

[SKelley]

Hello all

 

I caught an unusual fish specimen in my cast net while catching bait in the Concho River just south of San Angelo, Texas.

I'm fairly familiar with our local fish species, but this one has me stumped.

 

I thought at first it was a juvenile Hiodon sp. (i.e., Skipjack, Goldeye), but the jaw is not correct. The dorsal fin location is also off.

It has the jaw, head, and teeth of a South American Pacu (teeth actually may be more piranha-like), but the body appears too fusiform to me.

 

I know Pacu have been caught in the Concho river before, and if their numbers are up enough to spawn now, that is quite disturbing.

I have attached some pictures. If someone could assist me in a tentative identification, I would be obliged.

 

Thank you,

 

Sam

 

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[Matt DeLaVega]

Astyanax Species?

[SKelley]

Yes it is!

It's a Mexican Tetra (Astynax mexicanus).

 

I just got confirmation from a USGS fisheries biologist. Apparently several have been captured here in the 80's and 90's according to the fishmap.

Thanks!

[Casper]

Good thing!

I was about to cancel my Texas trip.