Acnodon

Acnodon is a genus with 3 species in this atlas, catalogued in the Piranhas & Pacus section, recorded from Brazil, French Guiana, Guyana and Suriname. Adult sizes run from 5 in to 8 in. Every species below links to a full researched profile.

Species in atlas
3
Adult sizes
5–8 in
IUCN assessed
3 of 3
Recorded from
4 countries

About the genus

Acnodon is a genus in family Serrasalmidae, the piranha and pacu family, found in the Amazon basin and the rivers of the Guiana Shield - the atlas records it from Brazil, French Guiana, Guyana, and Suriname. Atlas species range 5–8 in. Unlike their famous piranha relatives, Acnodon species sit on the herbivorous, pacu side of the family, with blunt, multicusped teeth suited to cropping plant material, fruit, and detritus rather than flesh.

This is a genus known mainly to specialist Serrasalmidae keepers and field ichthyologists rather than the general fishkeeping trade - none of the three atlas species (A. normani, A. oligacanthus, or Sena's pacu, A. senai) has much of an established aquarium presence, and their size and herbivorous appetite would demand a large, plant-tolerant setup rather than a typical community tank. Conservation status is reasonably favourable where known: two of the three atlas species are Least Concern, with the third Data Deficient.

IUCN Red List: Least Concern · 2 Data Deficient · 1

The 3 species

Every Acnodon recorded in this atlas. Each card links to a full researched profile — distribution, water parameters, and aquarium care, cited to primary sources.

Gosline, 1951

8 in TL · LC

(Müller & Troschel, 1844)

8 in TL · LC

Jégu & Santos, 1990

Sena's pacu

5 in SL · DD

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How to cite

Aquarist Atlas (2026). Genus Acnodon. Aquarist Atlas. https://www.aquaristatlas.com/acnodon/

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