Fishing for Other Exotics



Amazon Game Fish Taxonomy - The Characins
The Characins (Order Characiformes)
The Characins account for almost 50% of the fish species diversity of the Amazon. And diverse is exactly what they are, both morphologically and ecologically. They range in size from minuscule 13mm long tetras to 80 pound plus tambaqui and meter long payara and trairão (wolfish). They range in shape from some of the roundest fish in the world to some of the most elongate. They include the curimatidae, bottom favoring detritus feeders with no teeth at all; to the piranhas, whose teeth we're all well aware of. They also include fishes ranging from some of the mildest mannered community dwellers and aquarium favorites to some of the fiercest and most exciting gamefish in the world.
Taxonomic Grouping | Latin Descriptor | English Translation |
---|---|---|
Kingdom | Animalia | animals |
Phylum | Chordata | with spinal cords |
Subphylum | Vertebrata | with back bones |
Superclass | Gnathostoma | jawed vertebrates |
Grade | Osteichthes | bony fishes |
Class | Actinopterygii | ray-finned fishes |
Division | Teleostei | completed bones |
Subdivision | Ostarioclupeiomorpha | bone-shield-form |
Superorder | Ostariophysi | bone-bladder |
Series | Otophysi | ear-bladder |
Order | Characiformes | Characins |
Characins - General Characteristics
Most characins are carnivores (although there are entire subfamilies of fruit, seed and flower eaters as well as a range of detritus feeders, scavengers and bottom sifters) with well developed and often very specialized teeth. Almost all have an adipose fin and are well covered with ctenoid scales. None have barbels. Like all fishes in the Series Otophysi, Characiformes have a Weberian apparatus, a series of bones and ligaments that connect the inner ear and the swim bladder for sound transmission. Characins, as members of the Superorder Ostariophysi, possess an alarm chemical (‘shreckstoff’) which is released into the water upon injury to the skin, inducing a fright reaction in other, nearby members of their species. (Anglers who've fished for piranha or matrinxão know that after you hook a few, the school quickly disappears.)
Characins - Specializations
Several Characin groups have extremely specialized characteristics. The unique fang-like dentition of payara, the grinding molars of pirapitinga, the winglike pectoral fins of hatchetfishes and the headstanding behavior of Anostomidae are testament to the adaptations Characins have evolved to enable them to populate just about all of the incredibly diverse habitats of the Amazon basin. The great diversity of Characins, their propensity for convergently evolved characters (and conversely, localized radiation) and the logistical difficulty of access and collection in the Amazon basin has made classification of these fishes a work in progress, with ongoing taxonomic changes. The families described below represent some of the most economically important Amazon groups from the standpoint of anglers, aquarists and commercial fishers.
References
Froese, R. and D. Pauly. Editors. 2009. FishBase. World Wide Web electronic publication. www.fishbase.org, version (06/2009).
Géry, J. 1977. Characoids of the world. Tropical Fish Hobbyist Publications, Inc., Neptune City, NJ.
Mattox, G. M. T, Toledo-Piza, M., Oyakawa, O. T. and Armbruster, J. W., Taxonomic Study of Hoplias Aimara (Valenciennes, 1846) and Hoplias macrophthalmus (Pellegrin, 1907) (Ostariophysi, Characiformes, Erythrinidae), Copeia, 2006, 3, 516-528.
Nelson J, (2006) Fishes of the World. John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Hoboken, New Jersey, USA
Reis, R. E., S.O. Kullander, and C. J. Ferraris, Jr. (eds.) 2003. Check List of the Freshwater Fishes of South and Central America. Pontificia Universidade Catolica do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, RS. Brasil. 620-621.
Preserved specimens photographed at INPA (National Institute of Amazon Research), Manaus, Brazil
Amazon Game Fish Taxonomy - The Osteoglossids
The Order Osteoglossiformes
A more primitive order in relation to other bony fishes, the Osteoglossiformes (bony-tongues) get their name from well-developed teeth on their tongues that bite against similar teeth on the roof of the mouth. Although they are primarily tropical dwellers, members of the order are found on all of the original Gondwanaland continents. They are represented in the Amazon by two very well-known game fish.
References
Froese, R. and D. Pauly. Editors. 2009. FishBase. World Wide Web electronic publication. www.fishbase.org, version (06/2009).
Goulding, M. 1980. The fishes and the forest. University of California Press. Berkely and Los Angeles, CA.
Nelson J, (2006) Fishes of the World. John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Hoboken, New Jersey, USA
Reis, R. E., S.O. Kullander, and C. J. Ferraris, Jr. (eds.) 2003. Check List of the Freshwater Fishes of South and Central America. Pontificia Universidade Catolica do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, RS. Brasil. 620-621.
Taxonomic Grouping | Latin Descriptor | English Translation |
---|---|---|
Kingdom | Animalia | animals |
Phylum | Chordata | with spinal cords |
Subphylum | Vertebrata | with back bones |
Superclass | Gnathostoma | jawed vertebrates |
Grade | Osteichthes | bony fishes |
Class | Actinopterygii | ray-finned fishes |
Division | Teleostei | completed bones |
Subdivision | Oststeoglossomorpha | |
Order | Osteoglossiformes | bony tongues |
Photos from INPA (National Institute of Amazon Research), Manaus, Brazil
Amazon Game Fish Taxonomy - The Clupeiformes
The Clupeid Order (Clupeiformes)
This large, mostly marine order contains the fishes known as herring, anchovies, shads and sardines. They are distributed throughout the world's oceans and coastal regions and are very important to international commercial fisheries. Most are schooling and some enter estuaries and freshwaters. The exclusively freshwater Amazon species may be the result of adaptations of marine species enclosed in freshwaters after the rise of the Andes or colonizers entering during saltwater incursions into the basin during geological periods of warming. Among the Amazon species, many are filter feeders. These fishes typically have a series of enlarged scales on their ventral edge, forming a keel-like surface. Three families are found in the Amazon.
References
Froese, R. and D. Pauly. Editors. 2009. FishBase. World Wide Web electronic publication. www.fishbase.org, version (06/2009).
Goulding, M. 1980. The fishes and the forest. University of California Press. Berkely and Los Angeles, CA.
Nelson J, (2006) Fishes of the World. John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Hoboken, New Jersey, USA
Reis, R. E., S.O. Kullander, and C. J. Ferraris, Jr. (eds.) 2003. Check List of the Freshwater Fishes of South and Central America. Pontificia Universidade Catolica do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, RS. Brasil. 620-621.
Taxonomic Grouping | Latin Descriptor | English Translation |
---|---|---|
Kingdom | Animalia | animals |
Phylum | Chordata | with spinal cords |
Subphylum | Vertebrata | with back bones |
Superclass | Gnathostoma | jawed vertebrates |
Grade | Osteichthes | bony fishes |
Class | Actinopterygii | ray-finned fishes |
Division | Teleostei | completed bones |
Subdivision | Ostarioclupeiomorpha | bone-shield-form |
Superorder | Clupeomorpha | |
Order | Clupeiformes |
Clupeidae | Four genera with about ten species are found in the Amazon region. All are smallish fishes (the largest less than a foot long) and of no interest to anglers. |
---|---|
Engraulidae | ![]() The Neotropical anchovies are small to medium fishes with underslung mouths and prominent snouts. They are covered with small, deciduous scales. Not of interest to anglers. |
Pristigasteridae | ![]() Pristigasterids are sardine-like fishes externally distinguishable by their long anal fins. Mostly small to medium sized fishes, two species in the genus Pellona reach sizes well over half a meter and 17 pounds. Known as "apapá" or "sardinata", they are excellent game fish on conventional or fly tackle. They readily attack surface and subsurface artificial lures and flies. |
Preserved specimens photographed at INPA (National Institute of Amazon Research), Manaus, Brazil
Amazon Game Fish Taxonomy - The Perciformes
The Perciforme Order (Perciformes)
Perciformes is the largest of all fish orders with 160 families and over 10,000 different species world-wide. In fact, they are the single largest order of vertebrates in existence. Not only are they numerous, they are the most diversified of fishes, ranging dramatically in shape and form. Although they dominate vertebrate ocean life and much of freshwater, the Amazon basin is an exception, with its extraordinarily radiated Characiforme and Siluriforme orders. Following a recent taxonomic reclassification that removed the family Cichlidae from this order, Perciformes are now restricted to 4 Amazon families. They are now only a small component of the 3000+ species represented by the other orders. Highly evolved fishes, Perciformes have well-developed skeletons and spiny fin rays. Their bodies are mostly covered by ctenoid scales and they possess complex protrusible jaws. This order is still undergoing taxonomic revision.
References
Froese, R. and D. Pauly. Editors. 2009. FishBase. World Wide Web electronic publication. www.fishbase.org, version (06/2009).
Goulding, M. 1980. The fishes and the forest. University of California Press. Berkely and Los Angeles, CA.
Nelson J, (2006) Fishes of the World. John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Hoboken, New Jersey, USA
Reis, R. E., S.O. Kullander, and C. J. Ferraris, Jr. (eds.) 2003. Check List of the Freshwater Fishes of South and Central America. Pontificia Universidade Catolica do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, RS. Brasil. 620-621.
Taxonomic Grouping | Latin Descriptor | English Translation |
---|---|---|
Kingdom | Animalia | animals |
Phylum | Chordata | with spinal cords |
Subphylum | Vertebrata | with back bones |
Superclass | Gnathostoma | jawed vertebrates |
Grade | Osteichthes | bony fishes |
Class | Actinopterygii | ray-finned fishes |
Division | Teleostei | completed bones |
Subdivision | Euteleostei | |
Superorder | Acanthopterygii | |
Series | Percomorpha | |
Order | Perciformes |
Preserved specimens photographed at INPA (National Institute of Amazon Research), Manaus, Brazil
Amazon Game Fish Taxonomy - The Cichliformes
The NEW Cichliforme Order (cichliformes)
Recent taxonomic reorganization has modified the order Perciformes, removing the family Cichlidae and creating an altogether new order. The new order, Cichliformes, consists of two rather dissimilar families, reorganized as a result of molecular research. The family Pholidichthyidae (convict blennies) consists of a single genus and two species. Contrastingly, the family Cichlidae is one of the largest families of fishes, with over 200 genera and more than 1700 species worldwide. In the Amazon, over 200 currently described species are present. Some of the best known, such as Angelfish, discuss, geophagus, uaru, rams and oscars populate aquaria. The genus Cichla, containing the 16 currently described species of peacock bass, provides anglers with the greatest of all freshwater thrills.
References
Froese, R. and D. Pauly. Editors. 2009. FishBase. World Wide Web electronic publication. www.fishbase.org, version (06/2009).
Goulding, M. 1980. The fishes and the forest. University of California Press. Berkely and Los Angeles, CA.
Nelson J, (2006) Fishes of the World. John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Hoboken, New Jersey, USA
Reis, R. E., S.O. Kullander, and C. J. Ferraris, Jr. (eds.) 2003. Check List of the Freshwater Fishes of South and Central America. Pontificia Universidade Catolica do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, RS. Brasil. 620-621.
Taxonomic Grouping | Latin Descriptor | English Translation |
---|---|---|
Kingdom | Animalia | animals |
Phylum | Chordata | with spinal cords |
Subphylum | Vertebrata | with back bones |
Superclass | Gnathostoma | jawed vertebrates |
Grade | Osteichthes | bony fishes |
Class | Actinopteri | ray-finned fishes |
Infraclass | Teleostei | completed bones |
Cohort | Euteleosteomorpha | |
Subsection | Acanthomorphata | |
Series | Ovalentaria | |
Superorder | Cichlomorphae | |
Order | Cichliformes |
Preserved specimens photographed at INPA (National Institute of Amazon Research), Manaus, Brazil
Pirapitinga — Piaractus brachypomus — (Cuvier, 1818)
Order: Characiformes — A large, oval-shaped Characin, pirapitinga are encountered by anglers in high gradient Amazon tributary rivers, particularly in the Guyana 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. Commonly called pacu, these omnivorous fish are significantly different in size, shape and behavior than the large numbers of small, herbivorous aquarium species generally identified as pacu in the Myleus and Metynnis genera.

ID Key:
Heavy-bodied oval fish with human-like teeth.
Fishing Tactics

Under extremely low water conditions, the omnivorous pirapitinga can be specifically targeted by anglers with artificial lures or flies. 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 shade Yo-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.
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: can 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: Black Pacu: A confusing common name usage. Brazil: Pirapitinga Other: Morocoto (Venezuela) |
All-tackle; 24.95 kg. (55 lb. 0 oz.) |
Bicuda — Boulengerella cuvieri — (Agassiz, 1829)
Order: Characiformes —Several species of Boulengerella and Cytenolucius (a similar genus) are found in the Amazon basin. Most are small and not pursued by sportfishermen, but B. cuvieri is an altogether different beast. Attaining weights in excess of 15 pounds, these aggressive fast-start predators are a prized Amazon adversary. Taking to the air instantly, they keep the fight right where the angler can see it, above the water. Their repeated jumps and bony mouths make landing a big specimen an exceptional angling accomplishment.
ID Key:
Elongate, pike-like body. Bony beak-like mouth with sharp, fine, comb-like teeth. Red and black tail.

Fishing Tactics
One of the Amazon's most spectacular and challenging game fish, giant bicuda are a difficult species to target. Nonetheless anglers can improve their chances at encountering bicuda by focusing on several techniques and habitats. Since they are dwellers in high gradient rivers and distributed throughout those river's habitats at different times, anglers can encounter them in several manners;
When feeding, bicuda will actively pursue lures in fast-water tailraces below waterfalls and in rocky areas or banks at the edges of pools. In these habitats they are most easily caught with small to medium subsurface swimming plugs, such as Yo-Zuri Crystal Minnows, Rapala CD 11 and bright streamer flies on a sinking line. Work close to rocks and retrieve baits fairly slowly, swimming them around and through submerged rock structure. Hookups in these conditions and with these types of bait are often surer than in other circumstances, however, it is recommended that you try to set the hook very forcefully before they start jumping. Once airborne, they are experts at sending your lure right back to you via airmail.
During sunny midday and afternoon hours, small groups of bicuda can be encountered laid up on beaches, literally at the shallowest edges. A walking stick bait such as a Heddon Super Spook cast right next to the shoreline will often elicit an immediate and violent surface strike. Who knows why? Perhaps they're annoyed at being disturbed while sun bathing! Regardless of what elicits this reaction, things happen fast now. The hookset must occur immediately under difficult conditions since lines are rarely tight and rods rarely well-positioned when an angler is taken by surprise (believe me you're never ready for this even if you're planning it). The bicuda will immediately begin tailwalking across the surface. If you survive the aerial reaction, you have a good chance of landing the fish once he begins his series of short fast runs. If not, and your lure came flying out, well, you just got one heck of a good show.
Bars and Markings | Colors | Size | Key Characters | Similar Species |
---|---|---|---|---|
None, body relatively uniform and free of any clearly visible markings. Red tail with black center stands out | None, body relatively uniform and free of any clearly visible markings. Red tail with black center stands out | Adults: can reach over 1 meter in length, up to 16 lbs. | comb-like teeth beak-like mouth elongate shape red tail |
Several similar, but smaller species of Boulengerella are found throughout the Amazon basin |
Known Range | Behavior Notes | Habitat | Common Names | IGFA records |
---|---|---|---|---|
Countries: Brazil, Peru, Venezuela, Colombia, French Guiana. River Basins: Amazon, Orinoco, Tocantins, Oyapock and Essequibo drainages |
Often found in small groups in shallow water against beaches at midday. Actively feed in fast water, especially around rocks. | In high gradient rivers, they appear to occupy all habitats, from rapids to quiet pools. | English: bicuda Brazil: bicuda, Other: Boulengerella |
All-tackle; 7.26 kg. (16 lb. 0 oz.) |
Wolfish (Trairão) — Hoplius aimara — (Valenciennes, 1847)
Order: Characiformes — A relatively unknown and stunningly underrated Amazon predator, probably due to its superficial similarity to the, smaller and less athletic traira. Trairão (or wolfish) are fantastic fighters, attacking lures both on the surface and below with gut-wrenching violence then offering a powerful fight, accentuated by prodigious, head-shaking, spinning leaps. They can reach very large sizes and will give any angler more than he or she expects. Their mouthful of wicked teeth, large scales and thick body gives them the look of a sumo wrestler with the agility of an acrobat.
ID Key:
Fins marked with darker bars and speckles on lighter brown background color. Body relatively uniform and free of consistent clearly visible markings, however, lighter colored specimens may show a series of diagonal dark bars on posterior body. Large scales with dark edges give big specimens a reticulated appearance.

Fishing Tactics
The trairão (wolfish) is a remarkably accommodating game fish. In those river systems where it's present, it offers anglers a wide-variety of fishing environments and it responds to a wide array of tackle and techniques. The breadth of angling opportunities it provides is comparable to the largemouth bass. Once hooked however, the similarities abruptly end, since the trairão is a larger, more powerful fish with a distinct aerial proclivity. If they weren't so darned ugly, they'd be one of the world's most acclaimed sport fish. They are pugnacious to a fault and will attack almost anything that looks like food, so lure choices should be aimed at what is necessary to put the bait into the fish's area of awareness in varying conditions.
They are brilliant fun on surface lures, particularly walking stick baits equipped with extra sharp and extra strong hooks. In back-waters or off the river or in slow water stretches, they can be found relating to surface or aquatic structure, such as fallen timber or rocky outcroppings. Probe these waters as you would for peacock bass. Trairão are more of an ambush feeder (like largemouths) than a pursuit feeder (like peacock bass), so good casts, tight to structure are more likely to elicit a response. Set the hook firmly and more than once, they have bony, toothy jaws. In spite of their thick, barrel-shaped bodies they are good jumpers and will give anglers a mix of short powerful runs and impressive acrobatics.
Rocks in quicker water and at the edges of pools hold feeding trairão. Both surface and subsurface lures will work well here. These are the same types of waters that will hold payara, bicuda and peacock bass in the high gradient rivers that trairão favor, so they'll find you, often before the others if you stay very close to edges.
In deeper stretches of the main river, certain banks near points or confluences may have deep holes that are attractive to trairão and will hold good numbers of especially large specimens. This is cut bait fishing, where anglers can use an Amazon catfish rig and drop it directly under the boat and into the deep hole. If you find them, there will be many and they will be big. Although the style here has changed to still fishing and the thrill of the pursuit has changed to waiting for a take, the fight remains as good as in other techniques and the size tends to be larger. There's still plenty of excitement to be had when a 25 pound trairão comes blasting up from the bottom and begins leaping scant yards from your boat.
During very low water periods, trairão may stack up in large numbers in creek mouths entering a river. Possibly a function of spawning activity, they are violently aggressive in this habitat. Anglers can elicit strikes on every cast until each specimen has been accosted once such a grouping has been located. Super Spooks with 2/0 extra-strong, extra sharp hooks make for great sport with these hyper-active beasts.
However you choose to pursue them, and as ugly as they may be, trairão are an especially attractive target for the Amazon angler.
Bars and Markings | Colors | Size | Key Characters | Similar Species |
---|---|---|---|---|
Fins marked with darker bars and speckles on lighter brown background color. Body relatively uniform and free of any clearly visible markings, however, lighter colored specimens show a series of diagonal dark bars on posterior body. | Dark gray to brown lateral body, dorsally slightly darker . Abdomen whitish with darker mottling. | Adults: up to nearly 40 pounds (1 meter) | Thick body mouthful of sharp, caniform teeth Large, thick tail large eye |
A recent study of H. aimara and H. macrophthalmus revealed that both names refer to the same taxon. H. aimara has priority as the earlier name. Another species, Traira (Hoplias malabaricus) looks like a smaller version of trairão and is found throughout South America |
Known Range | Behavior Notes | Habitat | Common Names | IGFA records |
---|---|---|---|---|
Countries: Brazil, Guyana, French Guiana, Venezuela, Surinam. River Basins: Amazon and lower Orinoco drainages, also coastal rivers of Guyana, French Guiana and Surinam. |
Primarily piscivorous, opportunistically taking small mammals and birds. Strikes violently on the surface and is a prodigious jumper. | Common in slack water near waterfalls and rapids. Often lie in ambush on down-current sides of rocks. Creek mouths are particularly attractive lairs. | English: Giant Trahira, Aymara Wolf-fish (TV name) Brazil: Trairão ( like try-ear-own) Other: Aimara |
All-tackle; 14.95 kg. (32 lb. 15 oz.) |
Pescada — Plagioscion squamosissimus — (Heckel, 1840)
Order: Perciformes — This large, silvery predator is well distributed through-out the Amazon basin and in waters holding peacock bass, making them a good alternative target. They tend to occupy deeper, oxygenated waters, often near lagoon mouths and away from the littoral (shoreline) areas most frequented by peacocks.
Where to catch: Floating Bungalow Trip, Blackwater Explorer Yacht Trip
ID Key:
Silvery body with prominent lateral line, long second dorsal and large, oblique mouth.

Fishing Tactics

Relatively aggressive feeders, pescada will take a wide range of artificial lures, cut bait and live bait. In lowlands rivers, they can be targeted in lagoon mouths widely open to the river channel. Anglers usually access them with deeper running swimming plugs or lipless baits, such as rapalas, rattletraps, shad raps, jigs, etc.
In high gradient rivers, pescada will take CD 11 and CD 14 rapalas, spoons and even flies when fished deep in quiet pools. They are often caught on cut bait when fishing for catfish. A good fighter, they tend to run deep, rarely jumping. Pescada make delicious table fare.

Bars and Markings | Colors | Size | Key Characters | Similar Species |
---|---|---|---|---|
Body relatively uniform and free of any clearly visible markings except for a large, black blotch at the base of the pectoral fin. | Reflective silver on lateral body, dorsally slightly darker. Abdomen lighter. Fins may have reddish cast | Adults: up to 15 lbs (3/4 meter) |
prominent lateral line Silver scales black mark at base of pectoral |
Several species of Plagioscon are found in the Amazon basin; however none reach the size of P. squamosissimus. |
Known Range | Behavior Notes | Habitat | Common Names | IGFA records |
---|---|---|---|---|
Countries: Brazil, Peru, Venezuela, Colombia, Ecuador, Suriname, Guyana, Fr. Guiana River Basins: Amazon, Orinoco, Parana, Sao Francisco and Guianas drainages |
Makes migrations which may combine feeding and spawning purposes. As with other Sciaenids (drums), can be heard making underwater sounds | Found in deeper waters within lowlands river systems and in slower waters and deep pools in high gradient rivers. | English: Silver Croaker Brazil: Pescada Other: Corvina |
All-tackle; 5.10 kg. (11 lb. 4 oz.) Caught by Russell Jensen on an Acute Angling trip ![]() |
Apapa — Pellona castelnaeana — (Valenciennes, 1847)
Order: Clupeiformes — Looking like super-sized sardines, "apapa" are large, migratory clupeids, feeding mostly on other fishes. Although they seem to be most active in twilit hours, they can be readily caught throughout the day. Focused mainly on surface or shallow subsurface oriented prey, they are typically encountered in large schools. They can present anglers with extended fishing frenzies!
Where to catch: Variety Floating Bungalow Trip
ID Key:
Mostly golden in color, they have laterally compressed fusiform bodies and upturned mouths.

Fishing Tactics


Anglers can fish for apapa as distributed individuals or in small groups during most of the day. They will often hold against steep banks or down-current sides of points. Streamer flies, small swimming plugs and jigs are effective in these circumstances. Apapa will attack head on, flashing and turning as they take the bait, often hooking themselves in the process. They are strong fighters and readily jump with gill-rattling head shakes. On rare occasion anglers may encounter feeding schools of apapa. Small poppers, zara spooks and skitterpops are particularly effective. A lure may get hit several times on a retrieve until a volunteer succeeds in hooking itself.
Apapa are great fly rod adversaries, readily taking small streamers and poppers and mounting a strong, acrobatic fight.

Bars and Markings | Colors | Size | Key Characters | Similar Species |
---|---|---|---|---|
None, body relatively uniform and free of any clearly visible markings. Gold color tends to be most intense along the central line of the body. | Silvery yellow to gold coloration. Fins darker with orange/gold coloration on jaw and operculum. | Adults: up to about .75 meters and almost 20 pounds | laterally compressed upturned mouth streamlined fusiform shape gold color |
Two similar species occur in the Amazon, P. castelnaeana is the larger of the two, P. flavipinnis, attains sizes up to 8 pounds. |
Known Range | Behavior Notes | Habitat | Common Names | IGFA records |
---|---|---|---|---|
Countries: Brazil, Bolivia, Venezuela, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, possibly others. River Basins: Amazon, Orinoco and possibly others. |
Apapa feed actively late in the day. Schools may encircle baitfish schools and feed extensively on the trapped bait. Known to move into secondary rivers in large schools | Found distributed along banks when not actively moving as a school. | English: Amazon Pellona Brazil: Apapa Other: Sardinata |
All-tackle; 7.10 kg. (15 lb. 10 oz.) |
Aruana — Osteoglossum Bicirrhosum — (Cuvier, 1829)
Order: Osteoglossiformes — An interesting target for anglers, especially on light tackle, aruana are found in a wide-range of water types. They have earned the epithet, monkey-fish (macaco da agua) due to their penchant for leaping out of the water to pluck unsuspecting insects and even small birds from overhanging branches. They will strike both surface and subsurface baits as well as well-presented flies.
Where to catch: Floating Bungalow Trip; Blackwater Explorer; Adventurer
ID Key:
Large scales, laterally compressed, ribbon-like body and large, gaping, oblique mouth with barbels on chin
Fishing Tactics
Inhabiting similar waters, aruana are often caught by peacock bass anglers. Aruana readily take most of the same baits, including walking stick baits, jigs, swimming plugs and even the occasional prop bait. They will also readily strike a fly. Anglers can target them by sight fishing, since they are often readily visible near the surface and under overhanging limbs. On occasion small schools swimming near the surface can be encountered in open water, where they make a ready target for a well-cast lure. A pleasure on a fly rod.

Bars and Markings | Colors | Size | Key Characters | Similar Species |
---|---|---|---|---|
The body is relatively uniform and free of markings. Individual scales however, contain subtle gradations of color. Their large scales create a reticulated effect overlying the background color. | Ranging from silvery to brassy. Abdomen lighter. Reticulate pattern of color on glossy scales creates a network of pink to purplish color. | Adults: up to approximately 1 meter and exceeding 14 pounds. | barbels on lower jaw, elongate, laterally compressed body small tail w/extended dorsal and anal fins large oblique jaw large scales |
Two species of aruana are found in the Amazon basin. O. bicirrhosum is widespread, while a smaller species, O. ferreirai, is restricted to the Rio Negro basin. |
Known Range | Behavior Notes | Habitat | Common Names | IGFA records |
---|---|---|---|---|
Countries: Brazil, Peru, Colombia, Ecuador, Guyana and Fr. Guiana. River Basins: Amazon, Rupununi and Oyapock drainages |
A mouthbrooder, the male cares for the young. Aruana exploit a wide variety of foods, stomach contents include insects, crustaceans, terrestrial vertebrates (birds, reptiles and small mammals), fish, and even plant material. | Inhabits the flooded forest during high water and concentrates in lagoons and lakes during low water. Often found very close to shore. Sometimes it occurs in open water in small schools of up to 50 fish. | English: Arrowana Brazil: Aruana |
All-tackle; 6.58 kg. (14 lb. 8 oz.) |
Arapaima—Arapaima gigas —(Schinz, 1822)
Order: Osteoglossiformes — Arapaima are the largest scaled freshwater fish in the world. Specimens over 600 pounds and over 12 feet long were said to be not uncommon in the past, before they became a favorite of urban fish gourmets. Now a mainstay of pisciculturists, wild populations are recovering in several protected areas. Arapaima are obligatory air-breathers, periodically surfacing to gulp air. Oxygen is absorbed by a vascularized air bladder while CO2 is exchanged via their gills. Their mouth-brooding, fry-protective behavior has allowed them to succeed as transplants outside of the Amazon.
Where to catch: Acute Angling Arapaima Day Trip
ID Key:
The arapaima's enormous size, flattened head, terminal mouth and large silvery scales with bright red patterning are distinctive.

Fishing Tactics
Arapaima are usually difficult to catch with artificial lures. Most non-targeted encounters are by peacock bass anglers who see the big beasts surfacing in a lagoon. What generally occurs immediately afterward is that two anglers will quickly whip the water into a froth, hoping to entice a hook-up. Although arapaima will occasionally strike a lure, most often the sighting leads to nothing more than an exciting interlude.
Anglers can be more successful when targeting arapaima with cut bait, or even better, live bait. Small whole fishes on a wide gap circle hook work well, especially if a small piece of foam is inserted in the gills to keep the bait near the surface. The take is very visible. Anglers should allow the line to go tight and then point the rod tip at the fish, so the circle hook can do its work. A "J" or treble hook is usually more difficult because the angler must drive the hookset into the arapaima's bony, hard mouth. The fish at left, weighing approximately 180 pounds, was caught using a live "tamatoa" (a small armored catfish) as bait.
Once hooked, they tend to make runs appropriate to the location. In small lagoons, they tend to run to a bank or up to a heavy structure object and simply stop, perhaps they're not yet really sure they have a problem. Once the pressure returns, they'll leave that spot and run to another. The resulting fight consists of a series of short, albeit unstoppable runs, continuing until the fish tires. In more open water, a large fish is capable of rapidly spooling an angler. Once a run begins here, guides must quickly fire up the boat and follow or watch the line disappear into the sunset. These more sustained runs will help to tire the fish more quickly. Once the fish is at the boat (or perhaps better stated as the boat is at the fish), the real fun begins. Just because they've stopped running, doesn't mean they'll let you manhandle them into the boat for a photo, nor should you. Even when tired, a fish this large and this strong can be unpredictable. It's probably easiest to simply join the tired fish in the water for a photo (as was done at left) making for a less stressful capture (and release) for all concerned.

Bars and Markings | Colors | Size | Key Characters | Similar Species |
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The extremely large scales are edged in bright red pigmentation forming an array of fine, diagonal, stripe-like markings. | Light silvery white anterior, darkening to a steel grey, highlighted by bright red to purple markings posteriorly. | Juveniles: almost a foot long after adult care stops. Rapid growers. Adults: up to about 650 pounds (4 meters) |
enormous size distinctive shape large scales Red markings |
The arapaima is truly one of a kind and not likely to be mistaken for anything else in the Amazon. |
Known Range | Behavior Notes | Habitat | Common Names | IGFA records |
---|---|---|---|---|
Countries: Brazil, Peru, Colombia, Ecuador, Guyana. River Basins: Amazon basin Transplanted: Thailand |
Arapaima aggressively defend their young. If a nest site is stumbled upon by anglers, these huge fish will sometimes swirl, roll and even leap in an effort to scare off intruders. | Once widely distributed throughout the Amazon basin, they occupied most lowlands rivers and floodplains. Their air breathing ability allowed them to exploit these widely variable habitats | English: Arapaima Brazil: Pirarucu Other: Paiche |
All-tackle; 154.00 kg. (339 lb. 8 oz.) |