About Hoplias malabaricus (Bloch, 1794)
This species is known to reach a maximum length of approximately 65 centimetres (26 inches) and a maximum weight of approximately 3.8 kilograms (8.4 pounds). Like other species in the genus Hoplias, Hoplias malabaricus has a cylindrical body and a large mouth that holds prominent teeth. These dog-like teeth are the origin of some of this species' common names. Its coloration varies widely, but it is typically grey-brown, marked with either darker vertical stripes or a single horizontal stripe. Its geographic distribution ranges from southern Central America to Argentina. It can be found in most river systems across Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Costa Rica, Ecuador, French Guiana, Guyana, Paraguay, Peru, Suriname, Trinidad and Tobago, Uruguay, and Venezuela.
