Serrasalmus is a genus of piranhas. They are collectively known as pirambebas; the "typical" piranhas like the piraya piranha are nowadays placed in Pygocentrus. Like all piranhas, Serrasalmus are native to South America.
Leporinus is a genus of fish in the family Anostomidae native to South America. The fossil species Leporinus scalabrinii, known from the late Miocene of Entre Ríos in Argentina, has only recently been added to this genus after being misidentified as a species of primate under the name Arrhinolemur scalabrinii for over 100 years.
Acanthicus is a genus of large, South American suckermouth armored catfishes native to the Amazon and Orinoco basins, and possibly in Guyana. The name Acanthicus is derived from the Greek, akanthikos meaning thorny, spiny. Fish of this genus are known as lyre-tail plecos. These species are found in large rivers, primarily in areas with a rocky bottom and a moderate or strong current.
Cynodontinae is a subfamily of tropical and subtropical South American fishes of the family Cynodontidae. They are characterized by an oblique mouth and very long distinct canines, which are used to capture and stab their prey, other fish that can be up to half the length of the cynodontine itself. They are not prized as food fish, but are important in subsistence and commercial fisheries. Hydrolycus are game fish, having been recently added to the International Game Fish Association in the fly and rod class. Cynodontid fish are also sometimes housed in aquaria.
Pinirampus pirinampu is a species of catfish of the family Pimelodidae. P. pirinampu is also known as the flatwhiskered catfish.
Hypophthalmus is a genus of long-whiskered catfishes native to freshwater in tropical and subtropical South America.
Sturisoma is a genus of armored catfishes native to Central and South America.
Pristobrycon is a genus of piranhas from the Orinoco and Amazon Basins, as well as rivers in the Guianas.
Brycon is a genus of fish in the family Characidae found in freshwater habitats in Central and South America, ranging from southern Mexico to northern Argentina. Despite not being closely related to true trout, they are sometimes called South American trout. Members of the genus may be referred to by a number of other different common names in various languages. They reach a maximum length of 11.9–79.5 cm (4.7–31.3 in) depending on the species involved. Some species perform seasonal breeding migrations.
Auchenipterus is a genus of driftwood catfishes.
Anchoa is a genus of ray-finned fishes in the family Engraulidae. It currently consists of 35 species.
Salminus, popularly known as dorado or dourado, is a genus of relatively large, predatory freshwater fish from the family Characidae. They are native to large tropical and subtropical rivers in South America, and undertake migrations during the rainy season to spawn. They are very popular among recreational anglers and also support important commercial fisheries.
Semaprochilodus is a genus of South American freshwater fish in the family Prochilodontidae. They have sometimes been included in the genus Prochilodus instead. Of the six species, three are from the Amazon Basin, two from the Orinoco Basin and a single from the Maroni Basin. Depending on the exact species, they reach a maximum length of 27–54 centimetres (11–21 in).
Schizodon is a genus of headstander from South America. Though found widely in tropical freshwater habitats in the continent, the greatest species richness is in the Paraná–Paraguay–Uruguay river basin. They reach up to 40 cm (1.3 ft) in standard length. They are herbivorous, feeding on fruits, seeds, algae, macrophytes, leaves and roots.
Mylossoma is a genus of serrasalmids from tropical and subtropical South America, including the basins of the Amazon, Orinoco, Lake Maracaibo and Paraguay-Paraná. These common fish are found both in main river sections and floodplains. They support important fisheries and based on a review by IBAMA, they are the seventh most caught fish by weight in the Brazilian Amazon. They primarily feed on plant material such as seeds and fruits, and in their ecology they generally resemble the larger tambaqui. Mylossoma reach up to 28.5 cm (11.2 in) in length and 1 kg (2.2 lb) in weight.
Triportheus is a genus of characiform fishes from South America, including Trinidad, ranging from the Rio de la Plata basin to the basins of the Orinoco and Magdalena. Some are migratory.
Boulengerella is a genus of pike-characins from tropical South America, found in the Amazon Basin, Orinoco, and rivers of the Guiana Shield. Boulengerella was named after the Belgian ichthyologist George Albert Boulenger. The currently described species are:
Potamorhina is a genus of toothless characin from South America, with these currently described species:
Hoplias is a genus of fish in the family Erythrinidae found in Central and South America.
Megaleporinus is a genus of fish in the family Anostomidae native to South America.
