[4] Like other members of the genus Hoplias this species has a cylindrical body shape with a large mouth equipped with prominent teeth.

Found in most river systems and in the following countries; Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Costa Rica, Ecuador, French Guiana, Guyana, Paraguay, Peru, Suriname, Trinidad and Tobago, Uruguay and Venezuela.

[5] They occur in a wide range of freshwater habitats from clear, fast flowing, upland streams, to slow, turbid lowland waters, canals, and irrigation and drainage ditches, to shallow, stagnant, and hypoxic lakes and ponds.

This species spawns in pits located in shallow water and the males guard the nests even after the eggs have hatched.

Since January 1977 no specimens have been collected or reported; presumably the species was extirpated as result of extremely cold temperatures during that month.