Saccodon

Saccodon is a genus with 3 species in this atlas, catalogued in the Piranhas & Pacus section, recorded from Ecuador, Colombia and Panama. Adult sizes run from 1.5 in to 6.5 in. Every species below links to a full researched profile.

Species in atlas
3
Adult sizes
1.5–6.5 in
IUCN assessed
3 of 3
Recorded from
3 countries

About the genus

Saccodon is a genus of characins in family Parodontidae, the scrapetooth characins, found in fast-flowing Pacific-slope and Andean piedmont streams - the atlas records it from Ecuador, Colombia, and Panama. Like its relatives, it has a torpedo-shaped body, a flattened head, and a downturned, specialized scraping mouth used to rasp algae and biofilm off rocks in riffles and rapids, a feeding style that converges with loaches occupying similar niches elsewhere in the world. Atlas species are small, running 1.5–6.5 in.

This is a genus of scientific and ecological interest rather than an aquarium staple: current-loving, algae-grazing rheophiles of this kind are demanding to keep (strong flow, high oxygen, clean water) and essentially absent from the hobby trade. Conservation looks reasonably stable where assessed - the brief's tally is 2 Least Concern and 1 Data Deficient, the latter reflecting how poorly studied some of these small stream fish remain.

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

The 3 species

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

(Meek & Hildebrand, 1913)

6.5 in SL · LC

(Eigenmann & Henn, 1914)

1.5 in SL · DD

Kner, 1863

6 in TL · LC

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How to cite

Aquarist Atlas (2026). Genus Saccodon. Aquarist Atlas. https://www.aquaristatlas.com/saccodon/

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