Astronotus crassipinnis (Heckel, 1840)

Fig. 33

Body deep; greatest body depth contained 1.8 to 2.2 and head depth 3.0 to 3.2 times in SL; head length 2.4 to 3.2 in SL; snout length 2.9 to 3.1, horizontal orbital diameter 4.6 to 5.2 and least interorbital width 2.1 to 2.2 in HL. Mouth terminal; outer row of premaxilla with 17-20, and outer row of dentary with 15-20 teeth, followed by three rows of conical teeth. Upper lateral line with 20 or 21, lower lateral line with 22 pored scales and longitudinal series with 14- 15 scales. Transversal series above upper lateral line with 5 or 5½ scale rows, and below lower lateral line with 14 or 15 scale rows. Dorsal fin with XIV,19-21, pectoral fin with 15 or 16, pelvic fin with I,6 and anal fins with III,15- 17 rays. Ground color dark-brown to black; several lightbeige irregular transverse bars; superior portion of caudalfin base with black rounded ocelli, with orange margins. Dark-grey fins, sometimes dorsal, anal and caudal fins with distal margin hyaline. Males in reproductive period with yellowish-red spots on body (Graça, Pavanelli, 2007).

Maximum standard length. 302.0 mm (Graça, Pavanelli, 2007).

Distribution. Amazon basin and Paraná-Paraguay system.

Remarks. Astronotus crassipinnis is a non-native species in the upper rio Paraná basin, and its recent occurrence can be associated with the aquarium trade.