Brycon is a genus of fish in the familyBryconidae and order Characiformes found in freshwater habitats in Central and South America, ranging from southern Mexico to northern Argentina.[1] Despite not being closely related to true trout, they are sometimes called South American trout.[2] 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.[1] Some species perform seasonal breeding migrations.[3]
They feed heavily on fruits and seeds, but also take other plant material, invertebrates and small fish.[4][5] Their food is typically taken from the water, but they are able to jump out of the water to "pluck" low-hanging seeds and fruits directly from trees.[2] Some seeds are crushed when eaten, but may also pass undamaged through the fish, making them seed dispersers.[2][4][5]
Brycon support important fisheries and based on a review by IBAMA, they are the fifth most caught fish by weight in the Brazilian Amazon.[3]
^ abAraujo-Lima, C.A.R.M.; and M.L. Ruffino (2003). Migratory Fishes of the Brazilian Amazon. Pp. 233—302 in: Carolsfeld, J.; B. Harvey; C. Ross; and A. Baer (editors). Migratory Fishes of South America. ISBN0-9683958-2-1
^ abGoulding, M (1980). The Fishes and the Forest: Explorations in Amazonian Natural History. University of California Press. pp. 68–100. ISBN0-520-04131-3.
^ abcdefghijklmnopqrstLima, F.C.T. (2017): A revision of the cis-andean species of the genus Brycon Müller & Troschel (Characiformes: Characidae). Zootaxa, 4222 (1): 1–189.