Author: (Valenciennes, 1840)
Remark: Common names according to Valenciennes (1840) and Kenney (1985). The stated type locality of this species, Rio de Janeiro, is an error. Species revised by Shibatta (1998).
Comments: Commonly occurs in creeks as well as in rivers (Ref. 27188).  Found in very shady and deep zones of rivers where the current is slow, the bottom is shady and the gravel is covered with plant debris.  During the day, it lies hidden under branches or rocks.  It goes stalk-hunting, swallowing prey within its range.  Starts feeding on micro-crustaceans and aquatic insect larvae, then shifts it diet to fishes of notable size (Ref. 35381).