Pygocentrus palometa

{{Short description|Species of fish}}

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| taxon = Pygocentrus palometa

| authority = Valenciennes, 1850

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Pygocentrus palometa is a species of piranha endemic to Venezuela, where it is restricted to the Orinoco Basin.{{FishBase | genus = Pygocentrus | species = palometa | month = March | year = 2014}} Although recognized by FishBase, the scientific name may be a nomen dubium.Reis, R. E., S. O. Kullander and C. J. Ferraris, Jr., editors (2003). Check list of the freshwater fishes of South and Central America. CLOFFSCA. EDIPUCRS, Porto Alegre. 2003: i-xi + 1-729

"Palometa" is a general common name used in South America for many serrasalmids, such as the black spot piranha, red-bellied piranha, redhook myleus, wimple piranha, Metynnis, Mylossoma, Pygopristis denticulata, Pristobrycon striolatus and Serrasalmus,Olimpiadas Nacionales de Contenidos Educativos en Internet (2002). [http://www.oni.escuelas.edu.ar/2002/ENTRE_RIOS/un-gran-salto/paginas/pecesb.htm Fauna Ictícola del Río Uruguay]. Ministry of Education, Argentina. Retrieved 9 August 2016.Machado-Allison, Antonio (2005). Los Peces de los Llanos de Venezuela. Pp. 196-198. Third edition. Central University of Venezuela. {{ISBN|980-00-2235-X}} as well as the unrelated marine fish Beryx, Brama, Trachinotus goodei and Taractichthys.Pescados y Mariscos: [http://pescadosymariscos.consumer.es/palometa-o-japuta/introduccion Palometa o Japuta]. Eroski Foundation. Retrieved 9 August 2016.