Cynodon

A smaller growing relative of the Payara or Sabertooth Barracudas found throughout much of South America, the Snub Nosed Payara is a highly adapted predator typically found in waters with moderate to strong current. With their unique, flattened body shape, they spend most of their time hanging motionless against the direction of the water flow, waiting for prey to drift by. They use lightning-fast reflexes and their namesake saber-like teeth to grab hold of their prey, which can be fish up to half their own size. In the aquarium, payara often require live foods – at least at first – and do best in well-oxygenated water with plenty of water movement.