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Angler's Guide to Amazon Catfish
Pirapitinga—Piaractus brachypomus—(Cuvier, 1818)
A large, oval-shaped Characin, pirapitinga are encountered by anglers in high gradient Amazon tributary rivers, particularly in the Guiana Shield region. A powerful fighter, they are omnivorous in their feeding habits and can be taken on artificial lures, fruit or even cut bait. Their crushing jaws can make short work of the strongest hooks.
ID Key: Heavy-bodied oval fish with human-like teeth.
| Bars and Markings | Colors | Size | Key Characters | Similar Species |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Uniformly dark dorsally with mottled dark patterning on a lighter background laterally and silvery ventrally | Purplish above, with a glossy sheen ranging from silvery to bronzy. Darker gray over silvery gray mottled on sides. | Adults: Adults: said to exceed 55 pounds (.75 meters) | well-developed adipose fin human-like dentition |
Another, smaller species of Piaractus, P. Mesopotamicus (called Pacu Caranha) is found in the Pantanal and Paraguay/Parana basins. The larger "tambaqui" (Colossoma macropomum) is a migrant in lowlands trunk rivers and is farmed widely. |
| Known Range | Behavior Notes | Habitat | Common Names | IGFA records |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Countries: Brazil, Peru, Venezuela, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, Guyana. River Basins: Amazon and Orinoco drainages |
When available, particularly during high water periods, they eat fruit falling into the water. When water levels are low, they will opportunistically feed on small fish and other food swept into eddies below waterfalls. | In high gradient rivers, they often occupy slack waters below waterfalls as well as steep banks in slower, wider sections. | English: confusing common name usage, often called pacu along with several other species Brazil: Pirapitinga Other: Morocoto (Venezuela) |
44 pounds, Fort Lauderdale, FL, USA |
Fishing Tactics
Under extremely low water conditions, pirapitinga can be specifically targeted by anglers. They can be seen surfacing in small schools at the slack-water edges of rapids and will occasionally hunt in fast water tailraces. One of the most productive lures for pirapitinga in these conditions is a 3/4 ounce floating, silver or other natural shadeYo-Zuri Crystal Minnow. Anglers can cast directly to them when schools occupying slack water are evident. A well placed cast will often be rewarded with a strike. In tailraces, blind casting is the only option and, of course, may yield other species (such as payara), depending on the river system.
Under most water-level conditions, small native fruits can be amazingly productive, especially in a period where they are ripening throughout the area. A bush bearing a small fruit known as "casari" is often a common river-edge occurrence. If water levels are high enough to enable ripe fruit to fall into the water, pirapitinga will focus on these readily available tidbits. Anglers can collect the fruits and drift them into waters holding pirapitinga. It is a remarkable experience when a fish shaped like a small delivery van and as powerful as a Mack truck gently mouths a ping-pong ball sized fruit, only to shift into full drive when an angler sets the hook.
Anglers often encounter pirapitinga when fishing for other species with cut bait. It makes for an exciting surprise.
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When you Travel With Acute Angling, It's Much More Than Just Fishing
Imagine casting your line into the mysterious and beautiful black waters of the Brazilian Amazon. Then imagine the explosive strike of one of the biggest Peacock Bass you've ever seen. Then picture yourself fighting and landing the world's greatest freshwater gamefish and the trophy you've been dreaming of. Imagine doing this for days on end, without intrusive interruptions, or hurrying off because you've run out of time.
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