Black Piranha

Black Piranha

Offered for sale is an approximate 4” by 6” hand colored lithograph from Fishes of British Guiana edited by William Jardine and published between 1841 and 1843.  The print comes matted and mounted in acid free archival materials.

The fish Serrasalmo niger is commonly known as the Black Piranha.  Modern taxonomic revisions recognize it as Serrasalmus rhombeus. This species is known for its powerful bite and solitary nature, distinguishing it from other piranhas that often exhibit schooling behavior. It inhabits various South American river systems and is characterized by its dark coloration and robust body structure.

The specific artist credited with illustrating Fishes of British Guiana was Edward Angelo Goodall. In 1841, Goodall was appointed by the British government as the official artist for the Guyana (then British Guiana) Boundary Expedition under Sir Robert Schomburgk. During that expedition, he produced a wealth of watercolours and sketches documenting the region’s natural environment, including its vibrant aquatic life. These detailed images later formed a crucial part of the work edited by Sir William Jardine, helping to bring the ichthyological diversity of British Guiana to a wider audience.