Above: In the picture, is a premium quality Payara Vampire Tetra swimming in one of our aquariums, when one of us snapped this picture.
Comments: These are fabulous looking fish, with unique shape and huge teeth.
Origin: Payara are found across a wide region in South America and are wild fish.
But now you can find some living in aquariums all over the world.
Maximum Size: In aquariums, experts say Payara can grow to be about 12" long, and sometimes larger if fed properly and if the water quality is good, which makes them big but not too big for a big aquarium.
Behaviors: Payara are not too aggressive, but they will bite into many fish with their huge teeth.
Compatibility: Some recommended tankmates include fish like Arowanas, Pacus, and large Catfish.
Click here to read more about compatible groups of pet fish.
Temperature: Payara live best from about 75 to 80-degrees F. with 78 being perhaps ideal.
Click here to learn about aquarium temperature, aquarium thermometers, and aquarium heaters.
Feeding: Premium Fish Food Pellets is best to feed to Payara.
Smaller sized pellets when small, and larger sized pellets when they grow larger, is the ideal food for these fish.
Click here to learn more about and shop online for premium fish foods.
Water Conditions: They are used to soft water with a neutral pH, but these fish can adapt to most types of water, and so as usual it's best not to try to change the pH or alkalinity.
Click here for a lot more information about aquarium water conditions.
Aquarium Size: Payara will do fine in an aquarium with at least 50-gallons of water when small, but will eventually need to live in an aquarium with at least 100-gallons of water.
Decor: Payara do not need gravel, and a layer of gravel more than 1/4" thick will usually fill with bits of uneaten food that will contaminate the water.
Click here for more about aquarium gravel.
Live plants are beautiful and improve the water quality, but aquariums with Payara usually do not have plants.
Aquarium Filter: Bio-Wheel Filters are highly recommended.
Most 100-gallon aquariums have room along the back for three Penguin 350B Filters, and this is sort of a minimal wild fish set up.
Better is a 120, 150, or 200-gallon aquarium with as many Penguin 350B Filters as will fit across the back.
Click here for a lot more about breeding various tropical fish in aquariums.
Popularity: These fish are somewhat popular in the hobby.
Names: The scientific name for these Payara is Hydrolycus scomberoides.
Variations: This species occurs across a vast region, so there may be variations, but we do not know of them.
Click here for a lot more information about keeping and caring for Wild Fish, including a picture gallery.
We hope you've enjoyed reading these comments.
All of our fish are Premium Quality Fish from the best suppliers in the world. Our fish have better health, more energy and brighter colors, as you can see in our pictures on this website.
We have 380-aquariums with lots-and-lots of popular aquarium fish plus lots-and-lots of rare fish!
We consider ourselves to be the link between the world's best sources of fish and the world's best customers. We love our work, and we are very responsible about caring for our fish and then shipping them carefully.
We also offer lots and lots of information about keeping and caring for pet fish, all from the knowledge of the Bailey Brothers, who have a combined total of 100+ years of experience as breeders, wholesalers, and retailers of pet fish!
Our fish and our customers are treated with the best of care, and we work energetically everyday to make sure every customer enjoys their new fishy friends.
When you purchase pet fish from us, you know you're receiving premium quality fish and premium quality service.
"Received my fish last night and was so pleased! They all arrived alive and appeared to be healthy.
"Once in the tank, they became very active and are now thriving in their new home.
"Beautiful fish, I asked for color and aquariumfish delivered. Processing and shipping was extremely quick."
Nevin and DrTom, the Bailey Brothers
This website is owned and operated by the Bailey Brothers, DrTom and Nevin, who've been together in the fish business for more than 50-years.
The Product Manager has been with the company for more than 35-years.
So we feel very confident that this is the fishiest crew anywhere.