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EveryFish
Hydrolycus scomberoides

Payara

Predatory Amazonian fish with long lower fangs

Photo: Oudart, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

The payara is a predatory dogtooth tetra native to the Amazon Basin in South America. It is known for its elongated lower jaw fangs used to impale prey and is kept in large aggressive aquaria.

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  • Has two long fangs on the lower jaw
  • Native to the Amazon Basin
  • Typically reaches 30 cm in length
  • Known as vampire fish in aquariums
  • Predatory diet of smaller fish

What it is

The payara is a species of dogtooth tetra characterised by two prominent fangs extending from its lower jaw. These teeth are adapted for impaling prey. The body is generally silvery in colour. Adults display a dark spot behind the gill cover and another at the base of the pectoral fin. The tail fin is dusky near the body and becomes paler towards the tip. It typically grows to a standard length of 30 cm but can reach 51 cm.

Where it lives

This fish inhabits the Amazon Basin in tropical South America. It lives in freshwater environments within this vast river system. The species is native to this region and is not found naturally outside these waters.

How it lives

The payara is a predator that feeds primarily on smaller fish. It uses its elongated lower fangs to strike and secure its prey. While reports exist of individuals reaching 117 cm and weighing nearly 18 kg, these records likely refer to the related species Hydrolycus armatus rather than H. scomberoides.

Payara
A drawing made by EveryFish from what this page says. It is a diagram, not a picture of the real fish.

Fish and people

In the aquarium trade, this species is sold under names such as vampire fish or sabertooth barracuda. It is popular for large tanks designed for aggressive species. Keepers must provide ample space and only house it with other large fish, as smaller tank mates will be viewed as food.

Payara
Photo: Unknown author, CC BY-SA 2.5, via Wikimedia Commons

Questions people ask about Payara

What does a payara eat?

It is a predatory fish that feeds mostly on smaller fish. It uses its long lower fangs to impale its prey during hunting.

How big do payaras get?

They typically reach a standard length of about 30 cm. They can grow up to 51 cm, though larger reports are likely misidentifications.

Can I keep a payara in a home aquarium?

Yes, but it requires a large tank. It is an aggressive predator, so it can only be mixed with other relatively large species.

Good reading and sources

Where this page comes from

The facts on this page come from the Wikipedia article "Payara", written by its contributors and used under the CC BY-SA 4.0 licence, and from its Wikidata record (CC0). EveryFish rewrote the text in its own words, with AI assistance, and compares every page with the article to make sure no passage is copied. It may be reused under the same CC BY-SA 4.0 licence with a link back.

It may contain mistakes, and figures change over time. Nothing here is investment or buying advice. If something is wrong, tell us. Last refreshed 2026-11-15.

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Photo credits on this page

The small pictures above come from Wikimedia Commons under free licences. Some are cropped to fit.

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