[1] It is the subject of a local fishery, being known as 'pacu' in Brazil and 'palometa' in Venezuela (names it shares with several relatives).

[2] In 2018, a review based on DNA and morphometrics restricted its range to the Río de la Plata Basin (Paraguay, lower Paraná and Uruguay rivers).

[2] The larvae meanwhile are swept downstream, and when the forest floods, spread out into nursery areas on the floodplain where their planktonic food is more readily available.

[2][4] In the seasonally-flooded várzea forest, this fish is often found living in close association with Potamorhina altamazonica.

The threats it faces include the encroachment of agriculture on the forest habitat, mining, hydroelectric schemes, overfishing, tourism and recreational activities.