lacerdae is restricted to the south of South America. In Venezuela there are are 3 sp of hoplias the mala and curupira and aimara of course. In Lake Maracaibo and nearby drainages there is another species similar to malabaricus that is called Hoplias teres. But the whole problem referring to malabaricus X teres has not been accessed yet. so the best way to check if it is a mala or a curupira is to check the position of the dentaries (parallel or converging). however mala usually have a black spot on the dorsal part of the caudal peduncle.
